Imagine thinking that billowing clouds are really incredibly soft cushions. What a shock to jump out of a plane and find that, instead of landing on one as though it were a soft mattress, you passed right through it and on down to a traumatic collision with the hard surface of the earth - not a pleasant prospect. Obviously, it is best to know the facts about clouds before such a risky venture.
Belief has a direct bearing on behavior. We act upon that which we most passionately believe. Therefore, the importance of correct belief cannot be overstated; your life and lifestyle is dependant upon it.
"But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1)
What follows this admonition are very practical words on how older men and women, young men, and servants, are supposed to live. Three times the word "sensible" is used to describe how they ought to live - a "sensible" lifestyle is a fitting response to "sound doctrine". All are to live their lives in such a way so as to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect" (Titus 2:9).
It's a well-worn cliche' with me, but the older I get the more I see the priority of the simple word, "balance". Rare is the person who is truly balanced in spiritual priorities (and I lack that balance as well). One extreme focuses on the "practical" side of Christian living so much that little emphasis is placed on the "doctrinal" - intellectual beliefs and understandings. The other extreme is overemphasis on intellectual beliefs and doctrines such that there is little grounding in the reality of daily life. Either extreme, according to Paul's words to Titus, potentially discredits the faith.
Perhaps nowhere else in the Bible is there a better balance between belief and behavior than this outstanding passage in Titus:
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds" (Titus 2:11-14).
The doctrine of God's grace - if we truly have received and embraced it - leads us to a decisive lifestyle of rejecting certain worldly practices and behavior, and embracing a "sensitive", righteous, and godly lifestyle motivated by the doctrine of the "blessed hope" - the Second Coming of Jesus. And the doctrine of His atonement works out in the purifying process of His people who are empowered and eager for good works.
Belief matters, because belief behaves. May we be eager to be a balanced people of both belief and behavior, as Paul's excellent words to Titus direct.
Steve
Belief has a direct bearing on behavior. We act upon that which we most passionately believe. Therefore, the importance of correct belief cannot be overstated; your life and lifestyle is dependant upon it.
"But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1)
What follows this admonition are very practical words on how older men and women, young men, and servants, are supposed to live. Three times the word "sensible" is used to describe how they ought to live - a "sensible" lifestyle is a fitting response to "sound doctrine". All are to live their lives in such a way so as to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect" (Titus 2:9).
It's a well-worn cliche' with me, but the older I get the more I see the priority of the simple word, "balance". Rare is the person who is truly balanced in spiritual priorities (and I lack that balance as well). One extreme focuses on the "practical" side of Christian living so much that little emphasis is placed on the "doctrinal" - intellectual beliefs and understandings. The other extreme is overemphasis on intellectual beliefs and doctrines such that there is little grounding in the reality of daily life. Either extreme, according to Paul's words to Titus, potentially discredits the faith.
Perhaps nowhere else in the Bible is there a better balance between belief and behavior than this outstanding passage in Titus:
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds" (Titus 2:11-14).
The doctrine of God's grace - if we truly have received and embraced it - leads us to a decisive lifestyle of rejecting certain worldly practices and behavior, and embracing a "sensitive", righteous, and godly lifestyle motivated by the doctrine of the "blessed hope" - the Second Coming of Jesus. And the doctrine of His atonement works out in the purifying process of His people who are empowered and eager for good works.
Belief matters, because belief behaves. May we be eager to be a balanced people of both belief and behavior, as Paul's excellent words to Titus direct.
Steve
posted by steve @ 7:57 AM
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