There is in my mind a forgotten Passage over in Titus 2:1-5 that I believe we as Christians need to give attention, energy and focus to. This is what is known as what the Apostle Paul calls here "....things which are proper for Sound doctrine".
Here's what it says (NLT): "As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. 3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God" 6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us"
These duties and responsibilities outlined in this passage are for five groups:
1) The Preacher
2) Older or Mature Men
3) Older or Mature Women
4) Young Women and...
5) Young Men.
What's interesting about this passage is that the groups mentioned are called as either new or seasoned Christian to exhibit and exemplify qualities and character that is consistent with the life of a Child of God! What's even more powerful is that there is a theme of being a "GODLY EXAMPLE" permeated throughout the text and everyone called to be a Godly Example in the passage are to be diligent and consistent in focusing on those they have been called to be an Example to.
The truth is, we need more Christians living lives that serve as examples to younger Christians. From the Preacher to the Parent, there are too many "compromising Christians" and therefore newer Christians are struggling to find proper Christian examples of what it means to truly live their lives according to Godly and biblical standards.
Our young people (young men and women) are spiritually suffering because of the shortage of Mature Christians who are willing to step up and show them how to live their lives God's way! So these younger Christians turn to the World's way of doing things, for both the young men and women they lack respect for themselves, they ignore spiritual authority, they surround themselves with worldly people and therefore they struggle to get beyond the infant stage of Christianity.
Even in the natural a young child must have adult examples to show and model before them how to be responsible adults. Those of us who have been in the Faith for awhile are called to model in front of "baby" Christians the life God desires for them to live and as for The preacher, well he/she is called to exemplify exemplary conduct and behavior in front of those they lead both privately and publicly! LET'S GET BACK TO BEING A GODLY EXAMPLE!
- BE STRONG!
Pastor V.
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