… so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Summary: The concept of living what you teach is called integrity. Paul wants those who teach the Word to live to a standard so high that no one can speak ill of them.
Paul is explaining something important to Titus and to us. What we do and what we say are related. What you teach and how you teach it are important. But how you live is even more important because that is what affirms or contradicts what you teach.
Paul goes one step further and states the goal of all this. He wants people who oppose you to be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about the teacher or the teaching.
How is this even possible? It seems like there is no bottom to the well of bad things people can say about each other. Jesus is God Himself and people still found bad things to say about him.
Possibly the most famous person, outside of Jesus, that would qualify as this type of person might be Daniel. In the Book of Daniel, chapter six, there is a story about Daniel getting a promotion. Daniel was so good at what he did that King Darius decided to appoint him over the entire kingdom.
The rest of the bureaucracy didn’t like this idea. I can only assume that they felt threatened by having someone with a high degree of integrity in charge. (This makes me wonder if maybe they were not only lacking in integrity but also morals.) Whatever the reason for their antagonism, they went to great lengths to find something bad to say about Daniel. When they could not even do that, they resorted to setting a trap.
The trap was both dastardly and deadly. They took the one thing that connected Daniel to his essential goodness, and made it illegal. Suddenly, without warning, praying to God was no longer allowed; under penalty of death. Daniel did not care. He prayed anyway.
If you want to know how Daniel’s story came out, you can read it in chapter six of the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. It is not a long story and it is well worth reading. Meanwhile we are left to ponder Paul’s words. Is it really possible to be of such character and soundness of speech that no one says anything bad about you?
I think that the answer must be, “Yes.” Paul does not tell us when this accounting will take place. In both cases with Jesus and Daniel, there is a point when those who opposed them discovered that they were shamed. In Daniel’s story, it is when God delivers Daniel from the Lion’s den. King Darius is overjoyed that Daniel has survived and he is also furious at being tricked by the those he trusted. His judgment was that Daniel’s accusers be tossed in the lion’s den. I think they might have had time for a little regret before they hit the floor.
In Jesus’ case, judgment happens before the throne of God. From God’s perspective, everyone will be called to account for their actions. Those who oppose God’s Word and those who teach his Word, will be called to account. When the complainers are asked what their complaint was, they will have nothing bad to say.
Application: God’s Word always holds true.
Food for Thought: What else has puzzled you about the Bible that might make more sense from an eternal perspective?
That is an interesting question brother. I think that unexplained pain and suffering, like what we see in the book of Job, will be better viewed through the light of eternity. Romans 8: 18 – 39.
Thank you, Rich.
The Romans 8 passage is an amazing overview of the span of Creation, both eternal and temporal.
What else has puzzled you about the Bible that might make more sense from an eternal perspective?
1.) We are all created beings, helplessly lost in sin because we chose to exercise our free will over the will of our Holy God, our Creator.
2.) We can only be reconciled with God through His one Son Jesus Christ who willingly, came to earth to minister, give His life as payment for our sins and provide a way to Holiness by faith.
3.) The Holy Spirit convicts (reveals to the degree we cannot deny) the world of what is sin, what is righteousness, and the reality of judgement to come.
4.) In compassion, God opens, softens our hearts to the reality of Christ, His offer of salvation from sin and deliverance from Judgement, provides the faith we must have to accept accept Christ.
5.) As believers we remain sinful (continue to struggle with our sin nature), limited, physical beings serving our Creator God who is a Self- Existent, Holy, Omnipresent, Eternal, and Trinity.
6.) His message to us, The Word of God, is like an inconceivable, multi faceted Jewel and we can only focus on one, possibly a small, limited number of facets at any one time. Written, preserved and revealed to all believers by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Genesis 3:1-24, John 3:16, John 16:8-12, Ephesians 2:8, John 4:24, Genesis1:26, 3:22, 11:7Job 26:14, Job 37:5, Psalm 147:3-5,
So that brings me to today when I ask myself why would God do all this for us when He could just throw this whole batch out and start over.
The answer He gives me is He loves us for what we are becoming, want we will become, not for what we are. And the Puzzle goes away!
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:1-2
Sometimes when I read this blog Ron’s comments are on par with Jeff’s devotion. I enjoy the Wisdom that you both bring into my life about scripture.
Thank you, Mr. T!
Ron is a man of vast experience with both life and the Lord. I am honored that he is so faithful in sharing his thoughts here.
Ron,
Thank you for your meditation today. I love the verses and the puzzle. What we will become through Christ’s love is an amazing thing to ponder.