In Paul’s letter to Titus, he expressed the type of Christians that please God, categorized by age and gender. Consider the following verses:
“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:1-10).
First, note the phrase “sound doctrine.” The word ‘sound’ means “to be well, to be healthy, figuratively, to be uncorrupt, true in doctrine.” These things are as they should be. They are God’s desires rather than the desires of men. These are things we disregard at our own peril. Consider further these thoughts:
We need older men in control of themselves. They are to be examples of temperance. Consider all of the words that are used in this text: sober, reverent, temperate, sound (in faith, love and patience). These are adjectives describing someone who can be counted upon. Age and experience, together with understanding and obedience to God’s word, make them rocks in the midst of tempestuous spiritual seas.
Older women are to be like them. Consider the attributes that need to be present. Reverent (in behavior), controlled in tongue, temperate in drink, and characterized by positive teaching. In effect, teaching others how to act, rather than how not to act. They also have a special call to teach other, younger women. I think it evident that older women teaching a younger women has advantages over younger women being taught by men. There is wisdom and experience that a different gender can’t replicate. I understood this at an early time in my preaching, while teaching a ladies’ class. I was certainly willing to do so, but it seemed such a waste and loss to have a young man teaching when older women had both the experience and perspective to do a better job.
Younger women need to understand the position that God has given them to nurture their children, and being a partner suitable to their husband. Regardless of the exceptions to the rule, this is an obvious truth revealed by her creation as revealed in Genesis 2:22-25. In addition to love for their husband and children, they are to be taught discretion (moderate in temperament and passion). They are to be chaste (modest, innocent, clean, pure). They are to be homemakers (a guard at home, domestically inclined). They are to be obedient to their husbands (subordinate to, put under). The Lord is the reason for this. It is His word that states the importance of these attributes for the young women.
Young men are to be sober-minded. This means to be of sound mind, sane and moderate. Young men can be flighty, and lack dependability. We need our young men to take their place in the church and be counted, be dependable. To be “wise” beyond their years, by embracing the word of God. This is done by integrity, honesty and reverence. They are to be obvious men of God, contrasted with their peers in age. While others remain boys, they are to be men. Note the special call for them to have integrity in doctrine. This means that in regard to doctrine they must be pure and incorruptible, instead of being “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14). They must be diligent in the life they live for the Lord, so that anyone “who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you” (8).
Finally, all of us who have jobs (taken from the admonitions to bond servants) are to willingly obey those who supervise us. This is a recognition of authority, and for those who acknowledge God’s authority, it follows that all valid authority must be respected. So, it may not be well accepted in our time, but God expects us to feel obligated to be “well pleasing” to those who employ us. Perhaps more emphasis is needed in the realm of obligations, rather than rights. We are not to pilfer (petty stealing), and we are to be faithful in all things, so that we bring glory to God. We make being a Christian “look good.”
These are not suggestions. God expects these characteristics to be present at the West Side church of Christ. Do they describe you? Is there anything you need to change or improve upon? Think about it!
