The Gospel and the Titus 2 Woman

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.

Wish you people would just shut up....

This title may be a bit harsh, but it is how I sincerely feel when it comes to Pat Robertson’s recent comments on divorcing someone who has Alzheimer’s. You can see his comments here http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110916/pat-robertson-alzheimers-patients-110916/20110916/?hub=EdmontonHome   but, in short they state that it would be okay to divorce your spouse if they have this terrible disease because it is “a type of death.” Really, Mr. Robertson? So, are we now redefining death? Can you not see Pandora’s box in this situation? I mean if are “types” of death, then really is no life, if there is no life, then let’s end their life early. For that matter, when a disease is terminal, let’s not wait around - let’s just kill them now so those that are healthy at this time can get on with their life. Let’s not demonstrate to our children, to a lost world what the whole idea of what “in sickness and health” looks like. I know this is a very strange idea for you, and some members of your staff, but let’s take a look at what the Word of God says.


Malachi 2:14-16: “Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the Lord has been witness between you and wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion. And your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks a godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. ‘For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence….”

God calls this a “covenant” when he speaks of divorce and says that it “covers one’s garment with violence” – in short, it is the murder of marriage….not something to be taken lightly. So, why is it that Mr. Robertson is the only one who recognizes this disease as a type of death? After all, when a persons contracts this dreaded disease the medical bills and care can be astronomical! Why is it that they are not issued a death certificate and the life insurance company pays up? Why? Because they are not dead! Why is it when a person contracts Alzheimer’s we don’t go ahead and have a funeral? Because there is still a preciousness to life, even if the individual can remember nothing, there is an opportunity for the spouse and family to glorify God in what is surely, the worse of circumstances.

We have a dear family who brings their loved one to church periodically, who has Alzheimer’s. To watch these sweet ladies deal with this man as they worship, while their heart is breaking, is also God honoring. It displays the fact that we are still one in Christ, and marriage is still a beautiful thing even in dark times. Marriage is not about me! Marriage is a living illustration of the love Christ has for His bride. His Bride who forgets his love, His Bride who forgets his statutes, His Bride who forgets His grace, but His Bride who, in spite of her forgetfulness, in spite of the results of sin that stain her, HE NEVER LEAVES HER OR FORSAKES HER. That is real love – that, Mr. Robertson is God’s idea of what marriage really is!