… and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives …
Summary: Paul has written about being self-controlled four times. He has also mentioned being upright before. In this passage he introduces the idea of living a godly life.
Are you self-controlled? Do you know how to measure self-control? Do you know how much self-control you have?
This is the fourth time Paul has mentioned “self-control” in this letter. Paul has already explicitly pointed to elders (Titus 1:8 (c) — Little Robots), older men (Titus 2:2 (d) — God’s Ambassador), and older and younger women (Titus 2:5 (a) — Wedding Clothes) as needing self-control.
In today’s passage, Paul is speaking about “all people.” The “us” he refers to is all those who are “God’s elect” (Titus 1:1). Our “knowledge of the truth” and our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ are why we are to live self-controlled lives. We are also to be upright (See “Titus 1:8 (d) — Fence Post”). In addition, we are to live godly lives.
When you hear the word “godly,” what does it mean to you? Do you think of Jesus feeding the five thousand? Perhaps you see Jesus calming the sea? Does your mind envision Jesus on the cross dying for your sin? Is a godly person loud and boisterous, or quiet and dignified?
There are dozens if not hundreds of godly traits that define a godly person. The more we live according to God’s will, the more a person is likely to be described as godly. Paul’s letter to Titus is a short primer on what it means to be godly. He also tells us what the ungodly look like. (We will get into that more in chapter three.)
Perhaps the thing to focus on here is the authority on godliness, God’s Word. Are you reading the Bible? Have you read it? How many times?
I know people who have read the Bible dozens of times, and they still read it every day. The book is a treasure chest of knowledge and insight about God. The Bible is, in fact, the authority on God and godliness. If you want to understand the word “godly,” the best advice I can think of is to read and study God’s Word.
Application: Read the Bible. Then read it again. Read it every day.
Food for Thought: How do you know when you are godly enough?
When we see Jesus face to face we may be “godly enough.” Of course, even then we will still grow in the knowledge of God. I don’t think we will ever be godly enough in this life – so we should plan on continuing to grow throughout this life. Philippians 1: 6.
Brother Rich,
I have a deep appreciation for your knowledge of the Word. The verse you provide today is a good example:
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 1:6
I think you got it Rich.
How do you know when you are godly enough?
Oh Jeff, you do come up with some great ones!
Men, called pharisees and sadducees developed systems of physical deeds, actions, achievements that could be seen by others and required these standards be met before others could be considered righteous, acceptable. They walked proudly, with their heads high and considered themselves more than “godly enough”. They believed they could actually take the place of God and pass judgement on others. The world system today is much like these men.
Jesus rebuked them harshly before they judged and crucified Him.
Acts 15:5, Romans 10:2-3, Matthew 23:13–36
Jesus very clearly teaches His kingdom is not of this world. Our doing the work of God is our living in faith in the one sent by God. He is the source of our power to live in obedience to God, and apart from Christ we can do nothing to please God.
John 18:36, John 6:28-29, John 15:5
As Believers we have become dead to sin and made alive to God. We no longer seek to become conformed to this unstable, ever-changing world, instead we seek to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This spiritual internal transformation is not easy, and requires consistent desire with discipline. True lasting spiritual change is a process which flows out of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Is given to us by the Holy Spirit, as we exercise faith and obedience to Gods Word which is made possible and assured because of the new life we received when we were born again through Jesus Christ. It is a lifelong and sometimes painful process. But we have the confidence that one day the transformation will be complete.
Romans 6:1-4, 6:16,12:2, Philippians 2:12-13, Corinthians 5:17-18,
1 John 3:2, Beloved, we are now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is in all His glory.
We will become godly enough when we meet with Jesus.
Ron,
Thank you for your insight on this. I appreciate bringing the viewpoint of the Pharisees to the table. That makes a perfect backdrop for the salvation by faith that Jesus offers us.