The more things change, the more they remain the same. Unless...

Titus 2 (NASB) from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

Duties of the Older and Younger

2 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. ² Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

⁶ Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; ⁷ in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, ⁸ sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

⁹ Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹²  instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

¹⁵ These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

This portion of Paul’s letter to Titus is titled, “Duties of the Older and Younger.” It really is not so much about duties but about what it would seem should be normal practical living. The very fact that Paul felt a need to address these basic matters of living is an indication that as bad as things are in our present culture and society, not much has changed. Without the life changing effect of the redemption of the cross of Christ sinful people will live self-centered lives.

Paul says:  Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance; ³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

 These are qualities that do not come automatically with age. All one needs to do is spend some time in a retirement facility to see that these characteristics are not imputed merely by physical age. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists some of the characteristics that are normal and natural in the human condition regardless of age.

 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

All of these natural, normal human characteristics are present and active in our culture and society today, just as they apparently were in Paul’s day. While Paul is encouraging Titus to speak about these things, there is really no amount of teaching or training that can change the human heart and so change these normal human characteristics. The continuation of Galatians 5 from above gives us the only real answer to the changing of the human heart. Verses 22-25 say:

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Paul’s instruction here speaks of both young and old, it speaks of the right attitude of workers toward their employers. He says: Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

In Colossians 3:22-24, Paul says: Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.…       Unfortunately not all who say they are Christian live up to this standard in the work place. But just imagine how much more productive our workplaces would be if they did. What employer, whether or not they themselves were a believer, would not want employees who fit the profile described by Paul.   Godly, righteous living applies to all. Colossians 4 begins:  Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. ² Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving… Again not all  employers, who say they are Christian, follow these standards. But what worker would not want to work for someone who did?

Paul closes saying: ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹²  instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Salvation by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, instructing us by and through the Holy Spirit, of Whom Jesus says: “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”(John 14:26) Paul encourages Titus, and us today, saying:  These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. We though, as believers must remember that the first part of our testimony is how we live not what we say. We must remember to first we live by the Spirit, and then also walk by the Spirit. Our words will words will have a greater ability to influence and affect the lives of others if we live bearing the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

While our world has changed tremendously since Paul’s time, spiritually not much has changed in the world from Paul’s day to ours.

May the seed of God’s word be shown through the fruit of our lives and may the fruit of our lives produce the seed of God’s word.  It is only by Your grace, the power of the cross and the Holy Spirit. Amen.