Titus: Do What God Saysنموونە

Be a faithful witness

Every day, with every decision and conversation, you are pointing to something. The question is: what or who are you pointing to?

In Titus 2, Paul calls followers of Jesus to live in a way that “adorns the teaching of God our Savior.” In other words, our lives should make the gospel more beautiful, not distorted, hidden, or undermined. That includes every kind of person: older and younger, men and women, and even, in Paul’s day, slaves: those with the least social power and the most difficult circumstances. Paul urges them to be faithful, honest, and respectful, not because slavery is good, but because how they lived could be a powerful witness to the truth and worth of Jesus.

At this point, it’s fair to wonder: why doesn’t Paul just condemn slavery outright? The answer is complex but important. Paul’s focus in his letters is spiritual transformation, not political revolution. He was writing to small, persecuted churches under Roman rule; people without power to overthrow deeply entrenched social systems. Instead, Paul elevates the dignity of those enslaved, reminding them, and us, that their identity in Christ is what matters most (Gal. 3:28). And over time, the gospel's power to transform hearts would help dismantle the institution of slavery itself.

The point here is that there are no second-class citizens in the kingdom of God. Your age, job title, education, or background doesn’t disqualify you from being used by God. Wherever you are—student, parent, employee, retiree—you matter. And your life matters.

Being a faithful witness begins with recognizing that our actions reflect what we believe about God. Do we live with integrity at work, show grace to our families, serve our neighbors? Paul writes that grace has appeared in Jesus, bringing salvation to all people (v. 11). But that grace doesn’t just save us—it also trains us to deny godlessness and worldly desires and to live in a godly way in the present age (v. 12). Grace doesn’t say, “Do whatever feels right.” It says, “Here’s a better way—walk in it.”

We live in a culture that often equates desire with identity. If I feel it, I should act on it. But Scripture teaches us to discern our desires. Not every longing we have is godly. That’s why Paul says grace instructs us to deny certain things. Not because God is harsh, but because He is loving. He saves us, then shapes us.

Being a faithful witness is not just about avoiding sin, it’s about being eager to do good (v. 14). This means we ask, “How can I reflect Jesus here? How can I make the gospel more beautiful by how I respond, speak, or serve?” Living this way takes intentionality. It also takes practice. Just like you can't run a marathon without training, you can’t live a godly life by just trying harder. You need rhythms. Things like time in the Scriptures, prayer, and community that train you to walk with Jesus.

The good news is we’re not alone. We have the Holy Spirit. We have the Word. And we have a Savior who is coming again. So we wait with hope, and we witness with boldness.

Reflection Question: Is there an area of your life where your actions or attitude may be distorting—rather than adorning—the message of Jesus? What’s one step you can take to better reflect His grace this week?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your grace that saves me and trains me. Help me walk in a way that reflects you today. Give me courage to say no to what’s ungodly and eagerness to do what is good. Let my life point people to You.