◄ What Does Titus 2:7 Mean? ►

The apostle Paul sent a short epistle to Titus, who was a Greek convert to Christianity and had become a trusted fellow-bondservant of Christ. He not only accompanied Paul to the council of Jerusalem, which agreed that Gentiles do not have to become Jews nor do Jews have to become Gentiles, but he participated in ministry work in Corinth, Ephesus, and the little island of Crete.

Titus was a trusted minister of the gospel, and Paul's 'true son in the common faith'. He was a mature man of God who helped Paul to correct various doctrinal issues in local churches, consolidated the truth, and provide wise, spiritual leadership within the early Christian church fellowships.

Although Paul provided Titus with sound advice on the Christian conduct of church elders and their wives, together with additional instruction to younger men and women on virtuous behaviour, he also encouraged Titus to become a true role-model of godly living.

Titus was a prominent minister of the gospel, and Paul recognised that the out-working of his life could be offered as an exemplary model of the Christian faith for others to imitate, for his godly lifestyle was a practical demonstration of the doctrine he taught: "In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds," Paul urged, "Conduct yourself with purity in doctrine and be dignified and sound in speech, which is beyond reproach."

Paul knew that a principle of 'do as I do' rather than 'do as I say' is a most effective way to train others in the things of God, and he advised this trusted colleague to present himself to his brothers and sisters in Christ as a worthy pattern of the good behaviour and the godly conduct that should be the hallmark of every spiritual believer.

May we live a life that is so Christ-focussed that we become a practical outworking of the doctrine we have learned and a living testimony to the God we serve.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the life testimony of Paul and Titus whose faith in the Lord Jesus became so much a part of the fabric of their lives, that they became a living testimony to the gospel of grace. May my life also be a true testimony of good deeds, pure doctrine, sound speech, and a worthy pattern of godly behaviour, for Your eternal praise. I pray that others would see the love and grace of Jesus in me and praise You. In Jesus' name, AMEN.