Titus 2:2 (c) — Mr. Diggs

Teach the older men to be … worthy of respect …

Summary: Respect is different for the worldly than it is for the believer. Worldly people are impressed by outward appearance. Spiritual people are impressed by one’s closeness to God. 

This topic is going to be difficult. I will warn you right now that it may seem like I am arguing both sides of the issue here. I will explain. 

What does it mean to be “worthy of respect?” Do we respect what is common? No, of course not. Something we see as common is taken for granted. A common behavior is the kind of behavior everyone engages in. Even among Christians, there are common standards of behavior. 

The overseer is different. He is held to a higher standard. His demeanor, his life, his choices set him apart. The result is that he is worthy of respect. This character trait is needed if people are going to accept his teaching and take him seriously as a leader. 

There are two paths here. Like everything else in a Christian’s life, they break down into the worldly and the spiritual. The best example of worldly respect I can think of is the mortician who lived in the small town I grew up in. I don’t remember his name, so let’s call him Mr. Diggs.

Mr. Diggs was what I would call an example of the “old school” in the world of undertakers. His appearance was always immaculate. He never left the house without looking like he was going to a funeral. His face was always a mask of serious, yet compassionate concern. He never raised his voice nor allowed himself to become agitated in any way. 

His public image was everything, and I have to say that it worked. He conveyed a sense of stability and seriousness that was above reproach. Living in a small town is always a risky venture. Everyone knows everyone else’s business. Except, that is, for Mr. Digg’s. He did not talk to anyone about personal matters, and his family followed suit. They understood the value of reputation in a small town. The slightest hint of scandal could be the end of his business. Mr. Diggs was worthy of respect — in a worldly sense. 

Church leadership, when I was young, also followed this path. Public image was deemed critical. It reflected the inner values of the godly leader. As a result, some people in the religion business developed a dual personality. They became very good at playing the part of the venerable “Reverend.” The problem came when they discovered that they could be two people at once. They could put on a public face that appeared respectable, while in their private lives, they indulged in ungodly pursuits. 

Such behavior is not worthy of respect. Sometimes this duality is never revealed in this life. If a person is very good at this duplicity, they can take their secrets to the grave. Other times the secrets of such people come out while they are still alive. 

The person in leadership who is truly worthy of respect is godly. God’s truth and light shine through them. They are respected not only for their knowledge of the Word, but for their faith in the Word. They are respected because they understand and apply God’s Word correctly. They live what they believe. The standards they adhere to are not those of the world but of God. They are uncommonly good, not only at appearing righteous before men, but being righteous before God. 

Application: Strive to be worthy of respect in all things, but especially in spiritual matters. 

Food for Thought: What clues do we look for in a leader that reveal his inner relationship with God?