Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Don't just get 'em saved; Teach them!

On with our study of Titus Two using the word worth. We look at the very important letter, T. This letter stands for teach.

In the Titus Two passage, Christians are instructed to teach, specifically the older are to teach the younger. This teaching position means that the teacher or mentor must make sure he or she is in right standing and continuing to learn from God's Word first. You can't impart what you don't have, right?

We are told to teach what is good. This always makes me think of Philippians 4:8-9. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Paul clearly encourages Christians to keep their minds focused upon what is good. We are not to focus upon opinion but be grounded in the teaching from God's Word. Because Paul tried his best to follow in God's way, he says that others could take whatever they learned from him and put it into practice. He was an example of what he taught.

Can that be said of us? Have we learned and followed God's Word to the point that others could copy us? Do we make a point of teaching others about what it means to be a Christian and live for God?

I'm afraid we often fail in this area. We get 'em saved and then we leave them to flounder on their own. Jesus didn't say, "Get 'em saved." He said, "Go and make disciples." That command carries with it a responsibility to teach and mentor others.

We should prefer to teach and impart a Christian foundation as opposed to allowing someone else to teach a philosophy that doesn't measure up to God's standards. We shouldn't shirk the responsibility to teach and mentor those younger people in the faith.

I have said before and will reiterate now. If Christians don't teach their own about God and what He expects, there are those in the world that will gladly lead our loved ones astray. There are college professors out there who want nothing more than to have your precious student come into their classes so they can pull those kids from their Christian upbringing.

Let's not shirk this important responsibility of teaching and mentoring new Christians and those around us who need guidance. Study God's Word and think on those good things then don't keep it to yourself. Teach it and model it.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Do not be addicted to much wine

That title will catch your attention, right?

We're back to our Worth study and we've made it to the letter R in the word which stands for restraint. The Titus Two passage talks about not being addicted to much wine.

Now, for many people, myself included, I might quickly skip over this point because I don't indulge in any alcoholic beverage. But, when I read this statement, I tend to see it in a broader sense. To not be addicted to much wine to me means to not allow something to control you or steal your testimony.

Drinking alcohol is a touchy subject. Some people use the argument that in the time of the Bible the people drank wine. And, even this statement from Titus Two says not to be addicted to much wine. As a Christian I have personally decided to abstain. My first reason is because it is such a touchy subject. Christians have very strong and differing opinions on the matter. Thus, for fear of causing another to stumble or to think ill of me, I choose just to not drink at all. Secondly, I don't care to use a substance that could alter my control. Since I am to practice self-control as a Christian, I will refrain from consuming alcohol since it can dull reaction times and impair my abilities.

As those out in the world look at us who profess to be Christians, we must be careful how we represent Christ. We must be leery of anything that could cause us to lose control or might steal our testimony.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Blogs by Christian Women

We pause for a word from our sponsor. Just kidding. I wanted to share a post that I wrote for Blogs by Christian Women.

I'm talking about specific ways to leave an intentional Christian legacy.

Ladies, you might want to put this blog on your Favorites list.

blogsbychristianwomen.blogspot.com

Friday, August 1, 2014

RESTRAINT

Wow, I've been MIA! Actually, I've been bailing. Bailing water from the basement after the bad storms that blew through last Sunday evening. We've been keeping the fans on it and almost have it dried up and readied to spray for mold. So, now you know.

Now it's time to return to our Worth study. We get to move along to the R which stands for restraint - things we are warned to stay away from or not to do.

The first warning we are given in Titus 2 is not to be slanderers. Slander is a false report maliciously uttered and tending to injure the reputation of a person.

We can see this in different ways. One form of slander is gossip. People want to say that they are just telling facts and not spreading gossip, but the gossiper has some information they just must share. This information isn't about herself or himself but about someone else. Most of the time it is an interesting tidbit and the gossiper has the upper hand when getting the opportunity to share it first.

Here's a good test: Would I still share this information if the person I was speaking of was standing here beside me? If the answer is no, it might just be gossip. Because if you wouldn't share in front of the subject of your gossip then there must be some reason your news would hurt them or embarrass you. Thus, "tending to injure the reputation of a person" from our definition.

Of course, we often just boldly speak to others in rude and degrading ways. As Christians we are to use our words to build others up, not tear them down. How often in the Word are we told to love one another? Jesus Himself in John 15 gives the command: "Love each other as I have loved you."

Jesus set the example of how to love others. He said loving and encouraging words and showed love through His actions. He went as far as to give His very life out of love for us. We are to love in this same manner.

We must show restraint over the words we utter about others. I can remember growing up and hearing my mother say, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." This usually came when my brother and I were in a yelling spree. But, isn't there truth there that we could heed?

If what you're going to say isn't loving or doesn't build up the other person, just bite your tongue. We could all use a little more tongue-biting and a lot less back-biting!