Worship: Adorned with Grace

Small children in Christian schools can be so hilarious. As a class lined up in opposition for a fierce, fake snowball fight last week, the “L” sign on the forehead with the accompanying taunts of “Loser” came out in full force. As the children’s PE coach, I asked the ringleader what the Bible said about being kind, and he proudly began quoting Ephesians 4:32 in full with the reference attached. I had him come to the middle and the children all quoted it together. Clearly, their doctrine did not quite adhere to their actions yet, but hopefully, they will be able to piece these two ideas together in the future.

               Children, of course, must be taught everything. Their sponge-like brains could memorize the entire Bible without ever connecting it to their actions. It is a privilege to teach children how to connect the truth of God’s Word to the outworkings of their hearts. If they learn these important lessons as children, it will spare them immense heartache in their adult lives.

It is not as hilarious when the lessons of God’s truth and an older believer’s actions do not harmonize. This is what Paul addresses in the book of Titus, as he equips a new pastor for the mission the book’s namesake will undertake in Crete.  Paul holds nothing back as he describes the Cretian believers as those who “profess to know God; but in works they deny Him.” (Titus 1:16) Oof. That is not a description I would want to define my testimony!

However, Paul did not throw his hands up in hopelessness. Just as children must be taught everything, so must immature believers. Sanctification is a process, not a one-stop delivery! Paul gave a full description of how mature believers adorn the Gospel by showing a pattern of good works in Titus 2.

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: ² That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. ³ The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; ⁴ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
⁶ Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. ⁷ In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, ⁸ Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
⁹ Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; ¹⁰ Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Titus 2:1-10

Those mature in the faith were charged not only to mentor but also to model what walking out good doctrine looked like. Too many seasoned believers, however, can get stuck in negative patterns, justifying themselves while holding others accountable. It is not pretty. Grace was meant to make us look like Jesus, not to allow us to “continue in sin that grace may abound.” (Romans 6:1) Showing a pattern of good works as Paul described in the first ten verses of Titus 2 is enabled by grace, not excused by grace when it is disregarded.

Grace was meant to make us look like Jesus, not to allow us to “continue in sin that grace may abound.” (Romans 6:1)

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; ¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
¹⁵ These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Titus 2:11-15

               Note that Titus 2:5 defines those whose doctrine does not match their actions as blasphemers of God. How devastating would it be for God to label His child as a blasphemer? Yet, those who, like children, quote verses, but in works deny Him, are blasphemers, according to God’s Word. The grace that is available for forgiveness empowers obedience so that we are without excuse before our Savior. It is time to adorn the doctrine of our Savior and mentor those younger in the faith to do so as well.

This was a challenging reminder to me this morning, and I pray it is a blessing to others also. Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Erica B.