“With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Titus 2 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

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.

Social justice and equality are buzz words which are frequently thrown around in our society and culture today. People demonstrate and protest in order to achieve equality. Some justify violence and destruction because of inequity. In today’s text, Paul also exhorts that there should be equality. The equality Paul speaks of though is not about what we should receive. Instead he says that there should be no difference based on age, gender or social standing in the way we behave.  He says:  Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.   Jesus did not come to change the social dynamics of society. In Matthew 26:11 He says:  You will always have the poor among you.   In response to the Canaanite women’s request, in Matthew 15:26 Jesus said:  "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."  Her response in verse 27 was:  “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Rather than take offense, she sought what Jesus could provide.  Jesus didn’t come to eliminate slavery, racial prejudice, age or gender discrimination; He didn’t come to change the socio-economic structure of society. All those things existed while He was here and remain to this day. Jesus came to redeem individuals from sin. He did not come to change society. He came to change sinners.  Regardless of their age, gender, race or social status, Jesus says: "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:32)  Everyone, without prejudice or bias is called to repent and turn from sin. Everyone is equally given justice in God’s sight.

The text says:  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,  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.  History and our current situation around the world proves that no human institution, no government or ideology of man can eliminate prejudice and bias. Nor will any government system or ideology ever eliminate poverty or attain perfect equality and justice. You will always have the poor among you.  Any system or ideology established and facilitated by imperfect people, will itself be imperfect. God’s grace though has appeared, bringing salvation to all who believe. Grace also instructs us, everyone to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age. Those who desire equality and equity need look no farther than the cross of Christ, where Jesus, without prejudice or bias 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. In Matthew 19:26 Jesus answer about who can be saved also answers the attempts of people throughout the ages who have sought equality and fought against bias and prejudice. He says:  “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.