Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live …
Summary: Paul is telling Titus to teach reverence as a way of life. The KJV calls this way of living one that “becometh holiness.” Being holy is something all believers are called to do.
One of my assumptions about Scripture is that it is all personal to each of us. When Paul writes about the requirements for an overseer or an elder, I hear him writing to you and me, too. The principles involved apply to all of us in some way. As Paul instructs Titus on what to teach the older women, I am looking for the principles that apply to me as an individual. Today’s meditation is on being reverent in the way that we live.
The King James Version of the Bible translates this verse to read, “behaviour as becometh holiness.” Several translations agree with the holiness theme.
When I was younger, I associated cathedrals with God. I had the opportunity to travel through parts of Europe with a group when I was just out of high school. I remember the feeling of reverence that came over me whenever we toured a cathedral.
Some of them were quite large. All of them were impressive. The feeling I had was one of awe. As I walked through the public areas of the buildings, I found myself almost holding my breath. It was as if I were in the presence of God’s throne.
I think that is what Paul wants for us here. He wants Christian women to act as if they were in the presence of God’s throne. He wants men to act the same way, but he says it with different words. In his letter to the Thessalonians he writes:
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7)
Is there any difference between the two? Not much. Both men and women are to live a holy life.
Application: Live each day and each moment of each day as if you were standing before the throne of God.
Food for Thought: What does being reverent mean to you?
Having respect for God, others and myself,..
John,
Right on!
I look at reverence as fearing God above people. Luke 12: 4 – 7.
Thank you, Rich.
The verse you reference is interesting:
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.” (Luke 12:4)
Imagine having been martyred, being on the other side looking back at your murderers and thinking, “Is that all you’ve got?”
It is. That’s all they’ve got. Compared to eternity with God, this life will look like a childhood dream…
Knowing our Lord is Lord over ALL. Our God is Powerful and can do anything.
Mr T:
Yes, He is. Amen! 🙂
What does being reverent mean to you?
God has been incredibly patient with me as He has carried me through the maturing process we must each go through. As I wrestled with this question, He brought to my mind a time when I approached Him with more than a little pride in how well I was doing as a new christian. I actually put myself on the same level as God and approached Him as “a buddy”, as I explained how I was good to for service in a specific area and didn’t need to comply with portions of His word. It was one of those “just wanted you to know” conversations.
Before I got too far, God opened the door to a locked room in my heart and let me know exactly what I was. I also fully understood, I was not His “buddy”, would never be on His level, and in fact I was only allowed to approach Him because He was allowing it. I could actually feel His message travel through my entire being as I was laid out on the floor, flat on my face. Tears rolled down my face as I knew God was finished with me. He had been my last hope, and now He was throwing me out. At some point, I could feel an arm around me as God explained it was OK. He had always known exactly what I was and now it was important I also know.
That was my introduction to fear of the Lord. We must each approach our Incomprehensible God with open, humble hearts, fully knowing, accepting who and what we are, holding tight to Jesus. Knowing He is the source of our life, our power to escape evil, worship our Lord with reverence, fear and trembling which are the manifestation of our hatred of all evil.
Proverbs 14:27, Psalm 2:11, Proverbs 8:13,
To me being reverent is well stated in Psalms 46:10, Be Still and Know That I am God.
Wow, Ron.
That is a powerful story. Thank you for sharing!
I love the reference to Psalm 46:10!
Ron you have me concerned. I’m at the stage of thinking God is my buddy. I’m a new believer. I don’t want to be laying on the floor face first sweating from my eyeballs.
I’ll be your buddy T . We have the Holy Spirit as our constant companion, we are both part of the Body of Christ, we can let God be our Loving Father God together.
Blessings Brother,
Ron
Reverence is important. It means we understand that r
the Lord is God and we are not. He is high and lifted up, majestic, and above all. We are blessed to be in His presence, but we are not in control. We may humbly petition, but we do not make demands. The Lord does as He sees fit. He is not beholden to us, we are dependent upon Him.
I think if this this reflected in the way we live, act, pray, and think we have a much better understanding of the Lord and our position before Him.
Yes we are set apart for what He desires from us, but He is in total control of the how, when, what, and answers to know one about the success or failure of ourselves or what we may think is appropriate in a given circumstance.
In addition to understanding we need to approach the Lord humbly yet boldly, we can take comfort in His love, care, and promises to us. He hears when we pray, but the answers are completely up to Him as to a yes, no, wait, maybe or silence. We can just know He always does what is right and best for us, and we can trust Him.
Jeff,
I like your definition of reverence: We understand the Lord is God and we are not. Simple, to the point, and very effective!
Thank you!
👍🏻