"… say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope
… our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."
- Titus 2:12-14
In Titus, the Apostle Paul instructed a Greek believer he had left behind on the island of Crete, to “straighten out what was left unfinished” and to “teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 1:5; 2:1) to both genders, young and old, including slaves (today’s employees).
The key lesson in Titus 2, which the Message entitles “A God-Filled Life”, is the need to teach, train, and encourage people redeemed by Jesus Christ to behave in a way consistent with the Word of God; a life beyond reproach and hence, to “make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive” (Titus 2:10).
Paul urged, “in everything set them an example…” (Titus 2:7). Since I followed Jesus many years ago, I have been blessed by those who were more spiritually mature. “Spiritual mothers” taught me with their lives. I thank them for the part they played in my spiritual formation in my earlier years.
I had a health scare in my late forties. I remember how they prayed for me at our church’s weekly prayer meetings. One of them was Mrs Tan Hee Phuan, affectionately known as Aunty Lian. When she was in her eighties, I asked her, “How do you spend time?”
She said, “I can’t see, my neck is in a brace and I can’t go out. But people can come to me. I pray for them. They can spend time with God in my prayer room”.
Nor will I forget Mrs. Goh Yeow. Her last words to me were, “Phyllis, Trust God. Use your gifts. You know your gifts…”.
These women etched life lessons of godliness in me.
God continues to teach me through His Word and through community time with Christ’s very own people.
May I persist in teaching others through a God-filled life, just as I was ministered to in my younger days. May my life speak the goodness of God, “so that no one will malign the Word of God” (Titus 2:5).
We can all wholeheartedly live such a Christ-centred life, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Phil. 2:13).
Dear Heavenly Father, grant that just like “those who've gone before us, help us leave to those behind us, the heritage of faithfulness; passed on thru godly lives”. Find us faithful, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God bless you,
Phyllis Wong,