Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Summary: Malice and envy are at the root of hating others. Paul explains this so we remember and understand what our Lord has saved us from.
Continue reading “Titus 3:3 (f) — Two Towns in Hell”
At one time we too were … deceived …
Summary: Being a demon is hard work. You cannot force people to leave God’s Light, you have to tempt them. Fortunately for the demons, their work is made easier when we turn our back on God.
Continue reading “Titus 3:3 (d) — Going Astray”
Remind the people … to be peaceable …
Summary: Like many other words in the Bible, the underlying Greek is richer in meaning than one word in English can express.
Continue reading “Titus 3:2 (b) — Hombre”
Remind the people … to slander no one …
Summary: Slander is an untruth that eats at a person’s reputation. Even if the slanderer believes that the lie is true, the damage that follows can never be fully undone.
Continue reading “Titus 3:2 (a) — A Weapon of Voice”
… to redeem us from all wickedness …
Summary: Being redeemed is not like snapping your fingers. It is a process. There is a payment to be made, and then there is a collection process. Eventually we see our Redeemer face to face. At that point we have been redeemed.
Continue reading “Titus 2:14 (b) — Up and Down”
[Jesus Christ,] who gave himself for us …
Summary: The story of our salvation is amazing. Our part is rather sad and embarrassing. The exciting part is provided by God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He left heaven to become a man, live a good life, and then allowed mankind to take that life away from him. Under the law, he now has the right to take our lives, but instead, he gives us life.
Continue reading “Titus 2:14 (a) — The Eyes of God”
… 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.
Continue reading “Titus 2:8 (b) — Dastardly and Deadly”
Likewise, teach the older women … to teach what is good.
Summary: Paul introduces a simple but profound concept: teach what is good. As easy as it may sound, the successful teacher needs to master the material first.
Continue reading “Titus 2:3 (d) — Teacher”
Likewise, teach the older women … not to be slanderers …
Summary: In Greek, the word “slander” comes from the root word for “devil.” Slander is a tool for hurting others. Envy and jealousy are two of the motives for hurting others.
Continue reading “Titus 2:3 (b) — The Devil’s Trap”
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.
Continue reading “Titus 2:2 (c) — Mr. Diggs”