MAKING GOD'S WORD LOOK GOOD

TITUS 2:9-10 NKJ 
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. 

In this pastoral letter, Paul addresses the qualities that make for a strong church. He discusses the character qualities of older men, older women, younger men, and younger women. He is not talking about in church service behavior. He is giving explicit directions on how to act, period. He even reminds Titus as to the expectations God has for him.   

And then Paul addresses servants. You would think this group of people with almost no social status or power would have been given a pass on behavior. Just do your jobs and act right; after all, you are slaves. But Paul, writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has strong encouragement for this group as well.   

Be obedient to your masters. Don't steal, be honest and loyal. At first glance, it would appear that Paul is condoning slavery. But rather than condoning slavery, Paul is telling these servants that their actions actually can adorn the doctrine or teachings about God. In the letter to the Corinthian church, Paul instructs slaves that if they can be freed to take it (1 Corinthians 7:21). But in this letter, Paul dignifies these individuals by telling them their lives matter. That even as a slave they can adorn the teachings about God's kingdom and the salvation that is in Jesus.   

The word adorn means to garnish, to honor, to dignify. Some translations use "make attractive." Even though they were slaves, they had the ability to make God and the teachings about God attractive to their masters. Not by their preaching but by their lives.   

APPLICATION: 

If a slave in the ancient world could make God and teachings about God attractive, how much more can we?   

If you will read chapter two of Titus (less than 3 minutes and 45 seconds), all of us fit into one of these categories. With the exception of being a slave, but it's not too much of a stretch to incorporate this same principle for employees. All of us have the potential to make God and the Lord Jesus more attractive to others. We can also adorn God and His doctrine by how we live our lives. It's a big thought and a big responsibility making God and His word look good.   

PRAYER: 

Heavenly Father, I desire to make You and Your word attractive to those who do not know You and those who are far from You.