Back yard, corner garden.
1I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it says,
"When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men."9( In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
We are urged by Paul to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called".
Think about that for a moment.
How do you live your Christian life?
Do you want in a manner worthy of being called?
For each of us has been called by God to be his own. We wouldn't be his children if he hadn't claimed us first! So how are you living out your calling as a believer.
Are you:
How are you walking?
God gave us each different gifts to different people for these reasons:
We are to grow in EVERY WAY into Christ.
He is the one who makes every part work together, and when we do so in the manner in which we aught, we grow as we build in love.
This is what we are called to...to use our gifts and talents for the building up of the church in love, so that we can be more and more like Christ.
How are you walking?
ps> Jim sent me this Servants, not Spectators, which I think fits in well with todays devotion.
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.We've already learned that Jesus follows the line of Melchizadek. We also know from verse 14 that he comes from line that was specified for Priests (the line of Judah). So that shows the Jesus is a different type of priest.15This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is witnessed of him,
"You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek."18For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
"The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
'You are a priest forever.'"22This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
23The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
15This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is witnessed of him,Jesus is a forever priest, not one by birth, but one for life. That makes him better than the regular priesthood. He was made a priest by oath (v 20). And since Jesus won't die, his office is secure, he's a better priest because he continues for ever, that makes a guarantor of a better covenant. :) pretty cool eh?
"You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek."
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.The writer of Hebrews uses good logic. :)15This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is witnessed of him,
"You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek."18For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
"The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
'You are a priest forever.'"22This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
23The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.Doesn't that make sense? If the first priesthood had been all that God needed to make people right with him, why would he change the system? God needed to change how the priesthood worked, so he created a new one.
4See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers," though these also are descended from Abraham. 6But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.We had been talking about Melchizadek and how he was greater than Abraham and all the other priests.
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.15This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is witnessed of him,
"You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek."18For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
"The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
'You are a priest forever.'"22This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
23The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
Jesus comes. He follows after the office of Melchizadek.
And as such...changes the rules. :)
A Lasting Kindness
When a friend from church is in the hospital or has a new baby, what do you do? Many women spring into action, buying gifts, making meals, and showing great kindness in practical ways. But when someone closer to home has a need, do you spring into action with the same enthusiasm? Learn to take kindness home.*
- How will you be remembered? What I want people to remember about me is that I cared, that I was kind, that I loved, that I touched their lives in practical ways that made a difference.
- Sometimes our own families are the ones we show the least kindness to. Sometimes it’s because we’ve been hurt, sometimes it’s because we’re lazy, sometimes we just take them for granted. We need to think about kindness in our own homes.
- It’s not your responsibility to fix all the problems of the needy in the world. But God has called you to be sensitive to the needs of those that He’s put into your sphere of influence and to open your eyes and be available to minister to their practical needs.
oh my...read that opener and thought...actually no I don't. I often don't even think about it. I figure someone will care for them. Sounds bad I know...but I just don't think that quickly about it. NOW...if I KNOW there's a need and someone points it out to me...yes, I'll act. But normally I need these things pointed out to me.
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.To be kind, that's the focus of this lesson.
Now if you go to the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians chapter 5, verse 22—you know there’s love, joy, peace, longsuffering—two of the Fruit of the Spirit relate to this concept. One is goodness and the other is kindness. These are related concepts. The word that is translated kindness in the Fruit of the Spirit is a word that has to do with having a kind heart attitude or disposition toward others. It’s a kind heart.
The word that is translated goodness in the Fruit of the Spirit and the word that is used here in Titus 2 is a word that means not just a kind heart, but kind activity on behalf of others. This word is active goodness. You have a good or kind heart but you don’t just keep it in your heart. You do something about it. It comes out.
Jerry Bridges talks about these twin, or cousin, qualities of kindness and goodness. He says, “Kindness is the inner disposition created by the Holy Spirit that causes us to be sensitive to the needs of others, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. Goodness is kindness in action, words, and deeds.”
Goodness is a kind heart in action. (I do like that way of looking at it). :)
Goodness is the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit within us, acted out in the lives of others.
I want to be 'show more goodness'. :)
I don't always think of myself as being kind.
When I'm tired (which seems like all the time lately) I'm more prone to just zone into myself unless someone forces me out of it (preschoolers are good at that). "Mommy...come play with me". Or "HUN! I need your help! NOW!" (both work well). :)
Kindness to me is...making meals my hubby likes, it's playing with my boy when I want to do my own thing, it's treating a sick bunny's eye so that it heals more quickly, it's smiling at a stranger, it's trying hard to organize a house in a functional for the family manner (not just functional for me), it honouring my hubby when he makes me proud...and even when he doesn't, it's extending grace to a preschooler who hasn't slept enough and is cranky and whiney and finding ways to make it better for us both to cope when we're alone AND THEN...not complaining about it when hubby gets home from another meeting.
I know that there is more to kindness and goodness. I know that MY HEART needs much more refining by the Holy Spirit. I know that my heart is not so very naturally kind...but that God is changing me and making me more aware of my very real need for him. I find the more that I am aware of HIM the more I am able to better serve my family and others in a kindly manner.
Nancy goes on in her message to talk about Dorcas, in Acts 9 we read:
36Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, "Please come to us without delay." 39So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.Putting aside the amazement of someone who was dead being raised to life again....I still find that idea stunning (outside the fact that Jesus rose from the dead...he was GOD!)...but this woman was missed because of how very kind she was. look at what is says here:Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. This disciple of God was full of good works and charity. It doesn't say that she was kind...it says that she was full of good works and charity. One can do these things without being kind...but consider how badly she was missed
All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them....that speaks to these things being done with kindness. This is how we want to be remembered isn't it? With people missing us because of how well we treated them. And it all starts with us being disciples of Christ. Loving him and through the loving of him being changed into people of kindness, making our acts of services deeds of good works.
Be changed in your heart by the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit.
Develop a kind heart.
Let that kindness flow out into your life as good works. Go out there...Serve your God by serving others. :)
We are saved from having to...being enslaved to..being forced to .... live a life of impurity. Consider that for a moment. Consider that Easter has just passed. Christ died to save me from sin. From being forced to live in a way that doesn't please God one bit.He washed us with the renewing of regeneration of the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ, (paraphrase, verses 5 - 6). He saved us! Saved us from what? From sin, from impurity, from debauchery, from decadence, from our flesh, from being slaves to various passions and pleasures.
Those who belong to Christ have been saved. They've been rescued from that impure life. They've been set free from sin. They are different than those who don't follow Christ, and the difference should be obvious to everyone.
This is the thing that has so struck me about the book of Titus as I've been meditating on the whole three chapters—the context of the passage we're studying in Titus two—is the stark contrast between those who follow Christ and those who don't. That's the way it's supposed to be. There's supposed to be a stark contrast.
It shouldn't be difficult for people to know whether someone is really a Christian. The unbelieving world is characterized by impurity, and believers of Christ are supposed to be pure.
Chapter 2, verse 14 of Titus says that Christ, “Gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness.” How much? All lawlessness, “and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.(from 1 Peter 2) Let me be that called out person who proclaims your glories!
In Colossians 3:5, Paul lists a bunch of things to put to death in oneself, ending with "covetousness, which is idolatry". He also links the two in a similar way in a parallel passage in Ephesians 5:5. The usual explanation for how covetousness is idolatry is to find elements of idolatry in covetousness. At root, idolatry in the Hebrew scriptures is the placing of anything above God or in the place of God. Having your priorities in the wrong order can be idolatry if it involves moving God to any place lower than the top. So if you're longing after something that's not yours, to the point where you place your desire for it above your desire for God, including the desire to be righteous and to be content with what God has given you, then you are in effect practicing a sort of idolatry.Pseudo-Polymath presents Holy Week and Eastern Traditions.
Tonight we celebrated the last of the three Bridegroom Matins services. Wiki informs us in the post on Holy Week (and the East) that tonight in Greece a significant (majority?) of the sex trade industry workers attend this service. Why?Okay...just took some time to do my devotions since my household is still very quiet at 920 a.m.! This is indeed unusual. :)
I’ve read a few reviews. They made me question whether I should steer clear, especially the ones from Christian sites, which major on the offence the Christian community might take. But then again, if something really annoys someone, there’s usually a reason for that…The True and Perfect Word comes to us by way of The Bible Archive. And I have to admit, I didn't get the point of this post at all. Didn't even know what snippet to take to inspire others to read it. Perhaps others will get it. But I didn't. Sorry.
My wife is home sick today, so being the loving husband that I am, I rented Twilight for her to watch, then decided to watch it with her.Thoughts and Confessions of a Girl Who Loves Jesus... gives us this post on Philippians 2:14-16 revisited .
Threads from Henry's Web developed this post called Stuck on Silent Saturday?14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life…
As I sat in Good Friday service last night, remembering all my Savior suffered for my sake, I cried. The above verses, which I promised to strive to achieve, so quickly forgotten this week. I am such a wretch.
Blessed by the Best is brought to us by Manely Montana. I couldn't get into see it as it's apparently protected. If someone could help me out with it, that would be nice. thanks.OK, it’s Easter Sunday morning, and I can join the chorus: He is risen!
But I know from experience that there are Christians out there who are stuck on silent Saturday or Good Friday. For them, Christianity is all–and only–about the cross. Jesus died, they died in Jesus. They had no hope. Jesus is their hope–but they don’t seem to live it.
Crossroads: Where Faith and Inquiry Meet tells us a story in For Easter - - A Testimony - - Mine.On Easter Sunday, many pastors around this country will preach about new beginnings. They’ll draw analogies with the coming of Spring; the budding flowers and chirping birds show us that life begins anew and we can start a new phase of life. Christ’s resurrection will be spiritualized and said to be significant because it shows us that our lives can be refreshed.
And they’ll all miss the point.
A week from this next Tuesday (April 21), I will be celebrating my 46th spiritual birthday. I grew up in a liberal Protestant PCUSA-type of church (liberal Presbyterian) and didn't hear the gospel there. You might hear bits and pieces of the gospel in liberal Protestant churches, but most people, espeically children, would be hard pressed to put the few pieces together and fill in all the cracks.Time Out for a conversation break with my hubby and to check on some laundry. Just found out that Walmart is going to be rounding it's pricing off to the dollar. Good idea thinks me. :)
Since it’s Easter week, I want to resurrect (I know–that’s a terrible pun) a discussion I participated in over at Evangelical Village a week or so ago. It began when my friend Matt posed a simple but important question:“What must a person know in order to be saved? What theological knowledge must a person know in order to become a believer?”Ricks Victory Blog comes to us with The Benefits of the Worst Days of My Life. This post was hard for me to pin-point a selection out of. It's worth a read though. Go check it out.
God is, well, God. He is not human; He is immeasurably more.Taking another break to watch this short you-tube video.
Two days since Easter and shows up at Tidbits and Treasures.Devotional for April 13-19, 2009“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9: 8 NIV
We can shout from the rooftops that ‘Jesus is still alive’. No amount of circumstances can change that fact. The storms that have been raging throughout the territory will not change it. They may change the face of the earth, upset us, but they will never change the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive in us today.Listening to Thomas the train, the magic railroad as I finish this carnival.
Top 10 New Spiritual Discoveries on the Last Segment of My Christian Journey is located at parables of a prodigal world.Then comes the question that should be directed to each one of us.
“But what about you? Who do you say I am?”
Jesus was very wise in the way he asked his question. (After all, he is Jesus.) He says to his disciples, “Firstly let’s clear up what everyone else is saying about me.” It can be very easy for us to parrot someone else’s idea of who Jesus was or is. There are so many options that we can easily pick one that sounds reasonable to us.
It's been about 9 months or so since my last act of processing/synthesizing the latest segment of my Christian journey. Figured its about time for another one.
So, in no particular order...
where you watch to see just who's stick comes out ahead
of course Justin's sticks always won! :)The Beauty of Holiness
Sometimes pressures come at you so fast it seems like you can’t think straight. Learn to develop a biblical, sound mind so that you can think clearly no matter what is happening around you.*
- You never get to the point where you don't need the grace of God to protect and safeguard your heart and keep you from sin.
- The real test of your purity is who you are when you get home and how you treat those around you.
- The goal of being pure of heart is not to make us look good. That's self-righteousness. The goal is to make God look good.
Now I have to admit, the title of this day's devotional really appeals to me. :) The beauty of holiness. How many see holiness as a thing of beauty? Not too many I think....but mmmmm... to be seen as beautiful because of my holiness...isn't that something to aspire to?
wow....okay...it's hard to concentrate when Thomas the Train movie is playing in the background. But we'll keep trying.
In her devotion Nancy refers to some different scriptures:
Titus 2:3-5, 11-14
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Titus 1:15-16
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
We are called to be pure, pious, submissive and keepers of our homes.
We are called to be more than what we were before we knew Christ.
To not to be slaves to sin, but to be a people earnestly desiring MORE than what the world offers to us. To love and serve in ways that please God not ourselves.
How does one live this out? For answers, Nancy turns to Psalm 101 which shows practical ways to living out what we believe.
5Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly
I will destroy.
Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart
I will not endure.
Do you correct ungodly behaviour? do you call it for what it is? Do you do your best to stay away from evil actions?
6I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me;
he who walks in the way that is blameless
shall minister to me.
Do you encourage your brothers and sisters in their walk with Christ?
7No one who practices deceit
shall dwell in my house;
no one who utters lies
shall continue before my eyes.
8 Morning by morning I will destroy
all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all the evildoers
from the city of the LORD.
Do you do your best to cut off the wicked from within your midst?
I look at this and I see church discipline at work too.
I look at this and I see moms guarding their households, protecting their children from those who would lead them astray.
I see constant vigilance.
Anyways, there is oodles more here but Now I have a preschooler demanding my attention and I just can't concentrate here anymore. talk and think more later.
so goes the teaser sent to my inbox. :)Sound Thinking
Sometimes pressures come at you so fast it seems like you can’t think straight. Learn to develop a biblical, sound mind so that you can think clearly no matter what is happening around you.*
- If you have sound doctrine, that will result in sound thinking about all of life—thinking that is wise, discreet, sensible, and self-controlled. Sound thinking will result in sound living.
- You can’t love your husband and your children if you don’t have sound thinking. Because when they are not loveable, if you don’t have sound thinking, you’re going to respond in unloving ways.
- A godly woman's heart and mind are always under the guard and protection of the Spirit of God, the truth of God, and the truth of God’s Word.
1But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.Nancy had a lot of good to say today. Really appreciated her devotional. So you'll need to go read it.
We’ve said that these qualities are very personal. They’re centered around our relationships, and they really focus a lot on our relationships within the family. So let me pick up in Titus chapter 2, beginning in verse 2, just to give us some context here.
What does it mean to be a person who has sound thinking, to be a person who is sober minded?I want you to see how this concept of self-control, the word is sophron—we were looking at it in our last session—sober-minded, of a sound mind. You see how this phrase occurs three times in these verses we’ve been looking at.
Titus 2, verse 2: First of all, “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled.” There’s our word—sophron—self-controlled. It’s of a sound mind. They’re to be “sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.”
Verse 3: “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women…”
Now, you don’t see the word “self-control” there, but that word “train” is in the same family in the original Greek language as the word sophron. It actually means to train them to have sound minds, to train them to think soundly, to train them to be sober-minded.
You don’t see all of that in the English translation, but that’s what’s behind it in the original. “Train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled” (verse 4). There’s our word again, sophron—sober-minded, of a sound mind. In the New American Standard Bible, you have the word sensible there. Sensible, discreet in the King James, sound-minded, of sound thinking.
