A Life That Highlights the Attractiveness of the Gospel

In Titus 2, Paul is describing what lives shaped by “sound doctrine” or “healthy teaching” look like. All who are disciples of Jesus–older men, older women, younger women, younger men, bondservants, masters–all are to be transformed by the grace of God which is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in the present age (Titus 2:11-12).

Paul summarizes the goal of the grace this way in Titus 2:10:

…so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

To “adorn” is to decorate or add beauty to. To “adorn” is to make more pleasing, attractive, or impressive. Think of the ornaments many of us hang on evergreen trees in December. We are “adorning” those trees. To “adorn” is to enhance or highlight the attractiveness of someone or something. Think of the bride who “adorns” her hair with a veil on her wedding day or the various wreaths that “adorn” our front doors as seasons come and go.

What a powerful way, then, for Paul to describe life the way our Creator intends it to be: that in everything his redeemed sons and daughters would adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Paul uses some challenging words in Titus 2 to describe what lives shaped by healthy teaching look like. Sober-minded. Dignified. Self-controlled. Sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Reverent in behavior. Not slanderers or slaves to much wine. Teachers of what is good. Loving. Pure. Kind. Not argumentative. Models of good works. Sound in speech. Integrity. Showing all good faith. To what end?

…so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

All of which leads to some practical questions.

Will I be that sort of example today?

Will my conduct on social media harmonize with those words today?

Will I be that sort of employee today?

Will my family see those characteristics in me today?

Will my decisions, actions, and reactions today highlight the attractiveness of the gospel I heard preached yesterday?

Am I faithfully waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works?

In other words, when people look at me, will they see the grace of God at work as I continue to be transformed by his healthy teaching?

…so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

That’s life, the way it was meant to be.