The Wisdom Of Being Inconvenienced Series

That’s a mistake that many of us Christians make - we are sometimes are own worst enemy by not taking our lives in Christ seriously enough to know the truth, teach the truth, live the truth.

Now I am not saying that we have to be perfect - far from it. But is our desire to continue to be transformed into the image of God and then communicate that to others? Or do we let our natural desires rule?

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

This same sort of idea goes for the working class (the "slaves" of that day). Are you working for "the man" or "the suits?" The tendency is to look at them as the enemy. Paul wants us to have a broader view of life than just our daily responsibilities. Instead, think about the eternal effects you life has on others. In this case - be a good, honest, amiable, obedient employee - not so your company’s stock holders will make a bigger profit while you make pennies - but so that everyone around you, including the CEO will be attracted to the gospel!

So now we come to the key of the chapter:

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Verses 11 - 14 are all one sentence. You could say it this way: "Jesus, our God and Savior, gave Himself to redeem us from the wickedness that pervades our world. He gave us this free gift of redemption that demands (like disciplining a child - Greek word) that we say "no" to the fleshly desires that call for our attention and say "yes" to living a life like a person that obeys God for His purposes while we wait for Him to come back for us."

Taking this kind of a stand is not going to be popular with everyone. Paul tells Titus not to be afraid to be bold in this, and not to let other’s disapproval dissuade you from breaking from your culture to be Christ-like.

Conclusions

1. Living a Christ-like life might appear simple, but it’s not easy.

Saying "no" is harder than it might first appear. We are bombarded on every street corner, in every TV show, and in everything we read to become like our culture. But having Jesus in your life makes it possible for you to say "no."

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.