When I came across the blog below, I felt it is so relevant for our ladies and men to see how the gospel gives us acceptance, and the joy of being sanctified. I hope this blesses all of you today, but especially our dear sweet ladies at Trinity!
http://theresurgence.com/2011/07/26/titus-2-is-not-just-a-womans-to-do-list
Titus 2 is Not Just a Woman's To-Do List
Jen Smidt » God Study Scripture Heart Gospel Justification Holy Spirit
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 to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. -- Titus 2:3-5
I think we may have put the cart before the horse.
Titus 2 is an excellent passage of Scripture for women looking to understand the call of a godly woman. The first few verses have been sliced, diced, and examined from every angle to comprehend what it is that a godly woman looks like. How should she act? What does she do?
First, She Must Be
After years of honing in on the beginning of this chapter as my “godly guide for women,” I actually took the time to finish reading the chapter and my eyes were opened to the fullness of truth that left me encouraged and equipped to actually live out the call of the opening verses.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 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 2:11-14
What a relief! These verses change everything!
“ The list of already accomplished truths from these verses puts the focus squarely where it belongs: on Christ.”
Receiver, not Achiever
If I am only looking at verses 3-5 through the religious lens of, “I’ve got to do these things,” I will fail every time. It is an impossible list of tasks that cannot be accomplished.
A to-do list of this magnitude leaves even the best-intentioned of us feeling ashamed of our shortcomings. For every hour read through these verses, spend an hour basking in the identity that verses 11-14 lavishes upon you.
The list of already accomplished truths from these verses puts the focus squarely where it belongs: on Christ. It labels me a recipient of God’s grace and not an achiever of it.
• He is the Grace of God - I am given grace
• He brings salvation - I am saved
• He trains us - I am being trained
• He is Hope and Glory worth waiting for - I must wait
• He gave Himself - I will receive
• He redeems us - I am redeemed
• He purifies us - I am purified
Then, She Can Do
Because of Jesus’ love for me, I am excited to live out the actions of verses 3-5. I can be reverent, teach, train younger women, show self-control, kindness and love to my family. I have joy when working hard at home and submitting to my husband because I am humbled and amazed at the kindness and grace Christ showed me.
When read in its entirety, Titus 2 releases us from the treadmill of accomplishing as godly women and welcomes us into accessing the riches of Christ’s godliness to be all that a devoted female disciple is called to be.
