Titus, Part OnePrimjer

Living an honorable life

“Older men are to be ... dignified” (Titus 2:2).

This characteristic that Paul emphasizes for older men also applies equally to women (see 1 Timothy 3:11). Their lifestyle should command respect. After all, they are the visible representatives of Christ's church on earth. If their lives give rise to gossip, this damages the “body of Christ,” the church. Paul mentions this aspect a little further on: people must behave correctly “that the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2:5) and “so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (Titus 2:8).

It is not always easy to be under a magnifying glass. It also sometimes feels unfair when society is extra critical of Christians and harshly judges their failures. But here also lies an opportunity. If we live in such a way that people respect us, our lives are a powerful witness.

Sometimes Christians are ridiculed when they have done nothing wrong. Their faith in Jesus Christ alone is then enough to be dragged through the mud. In such a case, they need not be ashamed. Peter even says, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (1 Peter 4:14).

Let other people's critical attention be an additional incentive to live honorably!