Why does God call us to “self-controlled, upright and godly lives” (Titus 2:12, yesterday’s verse)?
One reason is found in the previous verses, summarised by verse 10: “…so that in everything [you] may adorn the doctrine of our God and Saviour.”
The “doctrine (or teaching) of our God and Saviour” is the gospel.
Adorn means to dress or decorate in a way that emphasises that a person or place is attractive or precious. For example, a bride puts flowers in her hair. They don’t make her attractive, but they draw attention to the fact that she is attractive and that she is the bride.
Our “self-controlled, upright and godly lives” don’t make the gospel attractive (it already is) but they draw attention to the gospel and show that it is attractive. Transformed lives show God’s power to save. Godly lives show that the gospel is real and not just words.
To say “no” to ungodliness and “yes” to godliness (see verse 12 and yesterday’s meditation) doesn’t just benefit the Christian and please the Lord, it points people to Jesus and the joy of sins forgiven and new life.
So let’s ask the Lord to teach us today, to see where our lives don’t point to Him and pray for grace to change. Ask also that other people would see Christ in you and want to know more about Him.
The best is yet to come 