Sound Doctrine for Sound Living | Titus 2:1-10

For my first article on this blog, I want to explain where the name for it comes from ("Sound Doctrine for Sound Living"). It's from Titus 2:1-10, a passage that has been formational in my own life and my approach to ministry. Before you read further, consider taking a moment to read this passage yourself.

For context, the New Testament book of Titus is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to—you guessed it—Titus. Titus is Paul’s pastoral protégé and what we might call an apostolic delegate or representative. He was sent to the churches on the island of Crete on Paul’s behalf, extending his care and guidance. Paul had Titus deliver this letter to the churches in Crete and see to it that his instructions were carried out (2:15).

The churches in Crete needed this instruction desperately. They could be described as fledgling churches. A "fledgling" is a young and inexperienced bird that has yet to take flight or develop full plumage. Like a young bird fallen from the nest, these churches were lost in the tall grass of the world and falling prey to the dangers that exist around them. Therefore, Paul sent Titus to “set in order” (1:5) what remained of these churches and appoint godly, qualified leaders who could point them in the right direction and help them get off the ground so that they become healthy, God-glorifying churches.

Two of the dangers that kept these churches from spreading their wings and taking flight were (1) false teachers and (2) a corrupt culture. False teachers were influencing the church, upsetting families and taking advantage of the people, using them for their own personal financial gain and self-promotion (1:10-11). Paul also mentions how they were obscuring the grace of God in Jesus Christ by adding religious works to it and distracting from it by discussing foolish and unprofitable controversies (3:9-10). Godly people had been hurt by these “empty talkers and deceivers” (1:10), and the churches were in disarray.

As for the culture on the island of Crete, one of their own poets, Epimenides, said,

"Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” (Titus 1:12)

Because even their gods were liars, lying could be seen as virtuous. "To Cretanize" was "to lie." And since there were no wild animals on the island, the joke was that the only "beasts" on the island were the people!

In contrast to these false teachers, Titus was to teach sound doctrine (that is, sound teaching). In contrast to the ungodly culture, sound doctrine would produce sound living. The Greek word for "sound" in Titus 2:1 is hygiaino. You don't have to be a scholar to see the connection to our English word for hygiene. It means to be healthy; in a state of wellness or wholeness; functioning as intended. When someone goes missing and is finally found, what do we say if all is well? “They were found safe and sound.” When someone reaches their destination after a harrowing journey, we’re relieved that, “They made it safe and sound.” They’re out of danger. They’re in good health. That’s the idea here.

That's also what this website is about. The teaching of God's Word isn't just to satisfy curiosity. It's not about just being right (as much as we should be concerned about truth). God's Word, correctly interpreted, taught, and applied, is meant to change lives, making them healthier. More Christlike. More filled with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). More like the way we were intended to operate--before the fall in sin and as we will operate after Christ comes to restore all things.

I’m convinced that if we want to make disciples and grow the church, we shouldn’t focus so much on numbers as we should on health. Do you want to grow your church? Don't ask how many visitors are coming. Ask, Is our church healthy? Does it teach sound doctrine? Does it exhort in sound living? Are lives becoming spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and relationally healthy? I think if we do that, the church will grow God's way, in God's timing. People will take notice that something is going on in that church. Lives are being changed for the better. Something about them makes sense. So don't miss this message in Titus: How we live will directly affect the mission and effectiveness of the church. Paul brings this up in verses 5, 8, and 10 of chapter 2.

• In verse 5, young women are encouraged to live sound lives “so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”

  
  

• In verse 8, young men are encouraged to live sound lives “so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

  
  

• In verse 10, bondslaves—or our modern equivalent, employees—are encouraged to live sound lives “so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.”

These are some mighty motivations to live out our faith! There's a lot of meaningful words in this passage. One of them, the word adorn, is key. If we were to look at the Greek word (kosmeō), we’d see its relation to our word for cosmetics. It carries the idea of beautifying, making neat, or decorating. For example, this time of year (it's Christmas when I write this), we adorn our houses and Christmas trees with garland, lights, and ornaments.

In a similar way, our lives should adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ, making it attractive and proving it to be true. It should show others there is real, new, and abundant life in Jesus. There is hope, peace, joy, meaning. People who know that we profess to be Christians are sometimes waiting and watching to see if our faith in Jesus is real or makes any difference in our lives. As a German skeptic once wrote,

“Show me your redeemed life and I might be inclined to believe in your Redeemer.”

I have a fun and practical reminder of the truths of this passage on my bookshelf. It's a gold baton. On the baton are these words reminding me constantly of the mission: “Run the race. Pass the baton.” Under those words, are the means by which we'll carry out the mission: “Teach it. Model it.” 

If we’re going to pass on the baton of faith to the next generation, we’ve got to get serious about teaching and modeling. Sound doctrine and sound living. Belief and behavior. Doctrine and practice. Orthodoxy and orthopraxy. As one man said,

“If we’re not living the truth, there’s no reason to believe the next generation will have the slightest interest in listening to the truth.”

I’m inclined to leave us with these tough questions of self-examination: Are you healthy spiritually? Are you involved in a healthy church and contributing to its health? Does your life support or supplant the gospel? Honor or dishonor the truth of God’s Word? Hinder or help people trying to learn what it means to follow Jesus? If not, I think you know what to do. Humbly go to the Lord Jesus with that.