The Apostle Paul told Titus in Titus 2:7, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."
A pattern is that which is first cut so that an exact copy can be cut from it. When we are obedient to the word of God in all things, we become patterns for the lives of others.The book of Titus tells us how to be patterns of good works in every area of life.
First, how we should live among our own, both young men and old men; young women and old women. Titus 2:1-7 states, "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded." The aged men and women are to be patterns of good works for the younger in all things. Paul expresses strongly in this passage of scripture that it is the aged women teaching the younger women that which becometh holiness that the word of God be not blasphemed. And young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Second, Titus 2:9-10 tells us how we should conduct ourselves on the job. "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."
Third, Titus 3:1 tells us how to conduct ourselves concerning government. "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every work.."
Fourth, Titus 3:2-3 tells us how to conduct ourselves towards them that are without. "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another."T
he key phrases in all of the above mentioned scriptures are: "in all things shewing", and "shewing all". The key word is all.
Titus 3:9 is good advice. "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. We should not get in contention over the word of God. It profits nothing. Simply speak the truth in love to all that inquire of the hope that is in us.
As we obey these simple instructions we become a pattern of good works for all men to see. John 1:35-37 states, "Again the next day after John stood and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! and the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus..."
As I was approaching the building in which I work, I saw a co-worker walking across the road towards the work place. Although he was to far off to recognize by face, I said to myself, There goes Eric. The Spirit of God then spoke in my heart and said, A man is recognized by his walk. I had to say Amen to that.
We all need to ask ourselves this question. When others behold us walking, can the Holy Spirit say to them, "Behold the Lamb of God, this is the way, the truth and the life, follow them?" Who will they see, us or Christ in us?Let us all maintain good works. It is profitable to all men. Someone is always watching!
Fred Fishburne has been serving the Lord since 1980. He was called by God in 1983 to New Life Bible College in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduation in 1985, he was lead to help charter a church in which he raised his family and stills serves with his wife Ann today.
Fred and Ann have owned a successful natural health store in McDonough, Ga. since 1994. Helping people with there health is a big part of their ministry. "It gives us a chance to show our customers what the Bibles says about good health," says the couple.
Read Fred's e-books, Salvation Mechanics and Glory Follows, about God's call to His children to enter into the will of Christ and how God always exhalts those that obey. http://gloryfollows.com
Read Fred's health articles at: http://prohealthnut.com/articles.html
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