Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 258
246
IMMERSE
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MESSIAH
1:12–2:15
families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for
money. Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about
them, “The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.”
This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith.
They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people
who have turned away from the truth.
Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure
to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny
him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless
for doing anything good.
As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome
teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of
respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with
love and patience.
Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They
must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach
others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to
love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work
in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then
they will not bring shame on the word of God.
In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let
everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.
Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who
oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them.
They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely
trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our
Savior attractive in every way.
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We
should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion
to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the
glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave
his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his
very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them.
You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone
disregard what you say.
