Passionate Obedience . . .

 

 

READ Titus & Philemon

Paul’s instruction to a pastor named Titus charged him to deal with unbelievers who professed to know God, but denied him by their works. He said these people “are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (Titus 1:16)

The rest of the letter mentions the importance of doing good works that was in accordance with “sound doctrine” and with godly motivation even zeal or enthusiasm:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11–14)

James wrote that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26) saying that what I do is evidence of what I believe. If the doing is not there, then my faith is not there either. Titus backs this up adding the reason for “good works” . . .

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:8)

Most of this letter does not specify the works Christians are supposed to do. Titus 3:14 does say, “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful” indicating we are to take care of vital and essential needs such as food and shelter, but the NT lists other needs to consider. There is no end of needs and needy people!

However, the Lord brought to my attention one passage that is specific. It speaks about the attitude of certain groups and the “good works” of older women and slaves. When I first noticed this, I didn’t know too many churches where this was taught or practiced, particularly the words directed to older women. It says:

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. (Titus 2:1–10)

The part that captured my attention was “that the Word of God may not be reviled” showing the importance of these instructions. While some may say this was a cultural issue, it seems that these verses are timeless, so I did extensive study and could find only one book on the topic, a book for women by a woman, nor did I know of any church or pastor that was teaching this “sound doctrine” to their older men, older women, younger men, or those working for others (sort of like bondservants).

However, due to my husband’s work, we moved many times. One church in California had a women’s ministry that followed this pattern and attracted hundreds of women. Later we spent a year in the Chicago area and found a church that took this instruction seriously. The oldest pastor’s wife taught the younger women, particularly those without husbands, and he taught the men how to be the husbands God wants them to be. This church was amazing in activity, contentment, and harmony. They had four building programs in ten years due to growth and was filled with people willing to do good works. It was a wonderful experience and showed me the value of taking God’s Word seriously and totally.

What is the bottom line? Many women want respect signified by equality in roles. Older women often feel useless or neglected as leaders, and sometimes see the younger women as far superior in every way and without any need of training or help. Women’s ministries that follow the Titus 2 pattern are not making headlines. On the other hand, God’s Word is being reviled. Could this be part of the reason why?

I cannot lay blame on others. For me, the practical side of this reading is faithful and passionate obedience to what God says — as much as He gives me opportunity to do so — realizing that sound doctrine and doing good works is just as important in our world as it was when Paul wrote to Titus.