In this portion of his letter to Titus Paul outlines what things are to be taught to various groups in the church. Then about verse 11 Paul offers what I think is the overall teaching which is for all people, no matter what their identity or station in life is. "It teaches us to say "no" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." v.12.
It matter how we live out our lives. This seems like a simple truth, yet it can be so hard to put into practice. Worldly passions are all around us, encouraged and sold as normal. Yet for followers of Jesus Christ we are to live differently, say no to the pull of the world and live self-controlled and upright. This is no simple task.
How long must we live this way? Until Christ returns. That is our hope, that when Christ returns all that we have appeared to sacrifice will seem small compared to what is offered to us in the glorious appearance. Our blessed hope, in a world looking for hope, in lives where hopelessness is found, Christ offers hope.
There are many things to teach, and many people to teach. In them all we are teaching about the hope of living now for the glory of the age to come. This does not excuse us from anything now, it only means we have a hope in the future God is preparing for us. This is the heart of what Jesus teaches, and is the call of all who teach.
I was talking to an employee of a bank yesterday who said that her employer would not provide a construction loan if we do any of the construction work ourselves. She said that, if we decide to do that anyways, she, nor her employer would need to know. Her rate was 1.75% lower than all the other banks, however, I told her that we could not take advantage of her offer if it meant that we would have to lie to her employer. . . . that we were Christians and will tell the truth, and would not deceive her or her employer no matter what.
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