Be More Than a Messenger; Be a Model

Today’s Bible reading is Ezekiel 8 and Titus 2.

Preachers did important work on Sunday. As those charged with teaching “what accords with sound doctrine” (Tit 2:1):

• We challenged older men to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness (2:2)
• We taught older women to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine, but teachers of what is good (2:3)
• We encouraged young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled (2:4-5)
• We urged younger men to be self-controlled (2:6)

That’s eternally-important work and my guess is the minds of most messengers are already on the next opportunity to teach more of what accords with sound doctrine.

But could I encourage my fellow messengers not to overlook or neglect Titus 2:7-8? We taught foundational truths with roots in Titus 2:1-6 and expected others to listen on Sunday. On Monday, are we listening to the Spirit of God as he reminds us to be more than messengers?

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Be about more than standing on a stage on Sundays. “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works” throughout this week. In person, in your home, in your office, at the grocery store, in the stands, on social media, show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned. Be more than a messenger; be a model worthy of imitation because you’re imitating Christ (1 Cor 11:1).

If the Lord wills, we’ll speak out against the evil of the world next Sunday. By all means, prepare to “declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you” (2:15). But in the meantime, let’s also guard against the evil that can ravage our own examples. “In everything,” may we “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” that we so love to share with others.