Adorning the Doctrine of God
Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:9-14
Years ago, each week at the conclusion of our Bible study, one particular man usually said, “Remember, you are the only Bible most people will ever read.” How might our actions, our daily routines, our life reveal the gospel to others? Jesus calls us to abide in Him and to allow Him to abide in us (see John 15:4). He calls us to serve as branches connected to Him, allowing His sustenance flowing through us to bear fruit (see John 15:5). He calls us to allow His holy light to shine through us, illuminating the darkness along our path (see Matthew 5:16). Ideally, disciples live out God’s holy word and bring it to life (see John 13:35). I imagine for a moment, but honestly the thoughts are too painful to bear, if my life is truly the only Bible another person reads, what might he or she think the good book says?
Writing to his protégé Titus, Paul offers guidance to the young pastor and he encourages Titus to teach sound doctrine to everyone, regardless of who they are or the position they hold. He offers specific guidance on how Titus should instruct older men, older women and younger men before turning to a disturbing category of congregants, slaves. Paul recognizes the existence of slaves on Crete, recognizes that Titus serves as their pastor, and offers beautiful instruction that we should take to heart – “In everything, may they be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior.” Other translations say “adorn the doctrine of God” (English Standard Version) or “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (New International Version).
How might we adorn, be an ornament to, or make attractive the doctrine of God?
The Guggenheim in New York is a beautiful spiral architectural masterpiece. From the street its curves pull you in. If it were empty it would be beautiful, but the art adorning its walls enhance its beauty. And so it is with other museums. The buildings are beautiful, but the works of art they hold bring the museums to life.
The pine scent blowing from a Christmas tree lot is beautiful and each individual tree a work of art, but a tree is not a Christmas tree until it is unfurled, adorned with lights and ornaments, and gathered around. An empty tree is beautiful, but a fully adorned Christmas tree is more.
God’s holy word is beautiful. The concept of it is beautiful – how awesome is it that God would want to speak to us and inspire His people to record His holy word so that He might communicate with us through it today? It is beautiful in that so many people wrote over so many years and it is consistent and cohesive, indicating God truly spoke through them. The words are beautiful and the fact that His holy word is living is awesome. So how might we make His holy word more beautiful? How might we adorn His words? How might we be ornaments to His words? How might we contribute to the attractiveness of His words?
We are each unique. We each have unique experience and skills. We each have different gifts, different talents and different passions, and we each serve different roles in different positions. Regardless of your position, lift up God through your life. Live a life worthy of association with God. Glorify God through your existence.
Paul explains what this looks like as he guides Titus. He instructs older men to “be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance” (Titus 2:2). He instructs older women to “be reverent in behavior” (Titus 2:3), and he urges younger men to “be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured…” (Titus 2:6-8).
We claim association with Christ Jesus. His Holy Spirit dwells within us. We have His salvation and He leads us on the path toward sanctification. We have His holy word and He communicates with us, and He hears our prayers and responds, and He blesses us.
Jesus summarizes the doctrine of God with two commands: 1. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and 2. Love your neighbor as yourself. And He issues a new command, instructing us to love one another as He loves us and by this the world will know we are His disciples. And He instructs us to go and make disciples across the globe. The doctrine of God is summarized by love – loving God and loving people.
How do we make that more beautiful? We make it beautiful by transforming the concept into reality. We make it beautiful by bringing the words to life. We make it beautiful by actually doing it.
May you adorn the doctrine of God through your life. Amen.