Titus 2:9-11
Ps Paul Cheng
“…but if there be no credibility in their professions of faith, all efforts would be in vain…”
~6 min read
Dear Bethelites,
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but showing good all fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men (Titus 2:9-11).
A recent survey revealed that approximately 90% of all the people who came to know Jesus Christ were either introduced by a friend, a colleague, a relative or someone whose life had impacted them. Less than 10% of the people came to Christ because of something other than a personal witness. While I would not want to disregard the efforts of mass evangelistic programmes, media gospel campaigns and crusades well intended to spread the gospel across the world but my point is simply to stress the effectiveness of the personal testimonies demonstrated by those who named Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
The average unbeliever would be watching and observing the Christian’s life, and one of the biggest obstacles in evangelism is the scandal of people who profess to be Christians and yet live as if they were not. Their lives do not demonstrate a transformed life that has been delivered from sin.
For a long time, the unbelievers have been exposed to this kind of hypocrisy. This was the same problem that Paul and Titus were facing in Crete, They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (Titus 1:16). People may be preaching Christ boldly, spending much effort in organizing evangelistic events and distributing Gospel tracts diligently but if there be no credibility in their professions of faith, all efforts would be in vain.
In Titus 2, the Apostle Paul had dealt with the testimonies of the aged men, aged women, young women and young men, and subsequently he turned his attention to the servants. He gave vital reasons why believers should be mindful of their testimonies; that the word of God be not blasphemed (v.5), that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you (v.8) and that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things (v.10). The real emphasis is evangelistic and it certainly reminds us of Jesus who says, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
The word servants (doulos) refers to those who are under submission, subjection or bondage. In the Roman Empire, it was believed that about 50% of the population would fall under the category of a slave or servant. Some of the slaves were given great responsibilities in running households and businesses, especially those captured in war that were highly educated and cultured. Basically, much of the work depended upon slaves or servants and they made up the labour force of the Roman world, therefore they were an essential part of economy in ancient times. While it is true that many slaves were mistreated, abused, beaten and even killed, but on the other hand, others were loved and cared for so much so that when they were given the opportunity for freedom, they wanted to continue serving the family they loved so dearly for they had become a part of the household.
But the issue in this passage is not about addressing the condition of slavery, or the justification of slavery. It simply teaches that if you are one of them, you have an obligation to live your life so as to draw attention to the saving power of God demonstrated through you.
At least in five different places in the Epistles, the Bible talks about the relationship of the master and slave. Perhaps the equivalent connection we can apply in our modern time is that of the employer and employee relationship. The Bible has a great deal to say about how we are to conduct ourselves on our jobs, either as an employer or an employee. Do you realize that about one-fourth of a person’s adult life is spent on the job? It is essential for the Christian to learn how the Lord would want us to fulfil our responsibilities at the workplace.
Do we preform our duties only if the boss is watching or solely for monetary gains and promotions? If yes, then we have fallen short of God’s standard for the Christian. We work with fear and trembling, looking right through our employer and unto the Almighty God who is evaluating our efforts. Colossians 3:22-23, Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men (emphasis mine). What are the qualities that should exemplify every Christian employee?
I. Be Obedient Unto Your Own Masters
In the New Testament times, many slaves became Christians. Thus the natural response of these Christian slaves was to look upon their bondage as completely inconsistent with their new standing before God; as children of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. They reckoned that as God’s children, they would reign with Him forever, and should not be subjected to any human being, certainly not an unbelieving pagan (assuming their masters are pagans). Yet the Apostle Paul says to Titus to exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters.
The first obligation of a Christian is to please God and be a faithful testimony to Him. One way to do that is to be obedient to those whom you work under, regardless of whoever they are or whatever their character may have.
Obedient is a military term which can mean to get into rank, to fall in or to get in line; someone who is a General is above the Captain, the Captain is above the Sergeant and the Sergeant is above the Private and that is the idea. Likewise, in our marriage life, the wife is to submit to her own husband as unto the Lord. In the family, the children are to submit to the authorities of their parents. In the state, the citizens are to honour the king and all those who are in authority and to realize that the powers are ordained of God. In the economic environment, the employees are also to be submissive to their employers. In other words, you have to know your position in the order.
If you are the general manager of a company, you may have various employees working under you. If you send them an email message to detail them what to do, you would expect them to obey. That is the order because you happen to be their employer in that sense. But all of a sudden if your phone rings and on the other end of the line is the chief executive officer and he says, “I would like to change the plan.” Well, you know that the plans will have to be changed because the CEO happens to be your boss. Initially, you may be directing the people under you but now you have to be subjected to the authority above you. Obedience is the key to the order within the structure.
You obey and submit because you know the order of the master and the servant, and you act accordingly and show forth your Christian faith. Christian employees are to obey simply not because when their employers are reasonable, kind and generous. In fact, even if your employer happens to be a very difficult person, you are to obey, Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward (1 Peter 2:18).
Christian employees are to obey in everything and at all times. The only exception is when you have been instructed to do something immoral, blasphemous and contrary to the Scriptures. In that kind of situation, you apply the principle, We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).
(To be continued next week)
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul
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