Torch, Spring 1984

choir, Sunday school classroom, club, office, or neighborhood. I doubt that you live in a community as Crete was during Titus' lifetime . Paul, the author of the book, gives us a glimpse of the Cretan lifestyle... . even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies (Titus 1:12). How would you like to minister to a bunch of slow bellies? In today's arena of name calling, being called a Cretan is not a compliment. Yet Paul sent this godly, young man there to set the Christian church in order. Evidently, he was a good organizer. There was some very unsound teaching, so Titus was to organize and disciple different groupings . His teaching them and their teaching others sound doctrine would result in holy living . What we believe does affect our lifestyles. The older women were highly esteemed in the church, and it was very natural for Titus to use them in accomplishing his and Paul's goals for Crete . Through using the aged men to teach the younger men and the aged women to train the younger women, sound doctrine and holy living could again characterize that early church. Shouldn't this be our desire for our church family today? Why are we not seeing a compelling yearning for holiness in us and in our youth? Could it be that today's church has not developed a plan for practicing the principles of Titus two? Women, Paul gives us the preparation, plan, and purpose for the aged women to teach the younger women. One doesn't need to wait until a sixty-third birthday to be used in this way . A high school girl who is a maturing Christian can train and encourage a junior high friend. Not only were the older women to exhibit the same behavioral and attitudinal characteristics as the older men (to be soberrriinded, grave, and temperate; to have love, patience, and sound faith), but also they were to be suited to sacred character. Clement of Alexander said, "The Christian must live as if all life were a sacred assembly." Living what you believe - there's the base from which to start: the Word of God must affect our lives in producing holiness . One doesn't need to wear a bright, yellow sign, 'Tm going to be holy, so step aside." The Holy Spirit does the enabling and probably the advertising, too. Just be that willing, clean vessel. Then Paul couples two interesting, definitive phrases in the next preparational process. The aged woman is not to be a she devil (false accuser) or be given (enslaved) to much wine. Each lady must be willing to examine herselfrelative to these admonishments . What excuse are you using to prevent your preparation for teaching others? What sin is enslaving you and preventing the continual filling of the Holy Spirit? And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but befilled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5: 18) . As we let sound doctrine begin to affect us in the responding of acting out those teachings, we are being prepared to be the teacher of those beautiful , well– shaped, useful , excellent and good things spoken of in verse three. The last two verses of this passage give the plan. We aged women are to teach (train, encourage, and cultivate) the younger women. Paul even states what we are to teach them to do and to be. In the original text the teaching concepts vary from the King James wording. You won't believe what the Holy Spirit told Paul to write first: teach the women to love their husbands. I can just hear your gasps. My friend, how you love your husband speaks of a godly character - or your lack of it. The next segment of the curriculum is teaching them to love their children. How firmly I believe that we women must remember to keep these two love objects, the husband and the children, in the correct order of importance. More personal teachings follow for the individual's development of a godly lifestyle. Young women need to learn how to be discreet and chaste. Then Paul switches his attention back to the home in the next point: teaching them to be keepers at home. Again, our attitudes about our domestic responsibilites speak of our godly character. Remember this the next time you clean your oven. The plan of teaching ends with the training of the women to be obedient to their own husbands. The purpose for all this cultivation of the younger women is .. . that the word of God be not blasphemed (2:5) . Do you say that the principles of the Bible are your basis for your actions? If those actions are opposite to the ones mentioned in verses four and five, then you extend to that neighbor or to that child who watches you the opportunity to defame and revile God's truth. Other verses in Titus give me more purposes for my life: to show godly behavior and for my lips to speak and teach sound doctrine . Chapter three reminds me of who I was in my lost condition and of what my Saviour Jesus Christ did for me. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing ofregeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior (3:5,6). I am looking for His return . This is the third purpose for acting out aq.d teaching sound doctrine (2:12-14) . There is a portion of verse ten in chapter two which has captured my heart and gives the last purpose ... . that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. How I desire that my life and teachings adorn the doctrine of God. To be an adornment to the testimonies of God's Word to young women who are watching me, listening to what I say, and learning from me. Ah, that is living the Titus two principle. Heavenly Father, may it be so. 21