Is your “talk” or “teaching” bringing health to people?
Let’s take a look at Paul – the Apostles – instructions to Titus:
“But you should talk in a way that is consistent with sound teaching.”
– Titus 2:1 (CEB)
“Likewise, encourage the younger men to be sensible (7) in every way. Offer yourself as a role model of good actions. Show integrity, seriousness, (8) and a sound message that is above criticism when you teach, so that any opponent will be ashamed because they won’t find anything bad to say about us.”
– Titus 2:6-8 (CEB)
Teach Grace
“The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. (12) It educates us so that we can live sensible, ethical, and godly lives right now by rejecting ungodly lives and the desires of this world. (13) At the same time we wait for the blessed hope and the glorious appearance of our great God and savior Jesus Christ. (14) He gave himself for us in order to rescue us from every kind of lawless behavior, and cleanse a special people for himself who are eager to do good actions. (15) Talk about these things. Encourage and correct with complete authority. Don’t let anyone disrespect you.”
-Titus 2:11-15 CEB
What we can learn from these scriptures
- Grace has the power to impact our lives! Teaching that doesn’t include Grace is just teaching, but teaching with Grace is power. Power to change lives.
- Grace is seeded with the revelation that Jesus is coming again. (v13)
- We know we belong to God. You can’t belong to Jesus and belong to the world. (v14) “Therefore, you will know them by their fruit.”
– Matthew 7:20 (CEB) - Be a teacher
Tell everybody these things! Don’t let people look down on you. (v15)
Not selfie, but healthy
“Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you.”
– Romans 12:3 (CEB)
Teaching that prompts a decision
“At this, many of his disciples turned away and no longer accompanied him. (67) Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” (68) Simon Peter answered, “Lord, where would we go? You have the words of eternal life. (69) We believe and know that you are God’s holy one.””
– John 6:66-69 (CEB)
Don’t blame grace for people doing the wrong thing
In these scriptures, we can see that sound teaching is followed by grace. So grace is embedded in sound teaching.
Therefore grace, as God intends it, is to instruct us not to follow the world with all it’s worldly desires. God’s grace enables us to follow God’s ways – how we can do what is right towards God and people. Grace is never a license for people to do the wrong thing.
Others in this series:
originally posted on: https://tokyo.mylifehouse.com/en/healthy-talk/