March 22
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FOR THE YOUNG MEN AND SLAVES
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 slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not stealing, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. – Titus 2:6-10
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Paul instructs the young men and the slaves in the following passages from his letter to Titus. For the young men, he wants them to be sensible. Sensible is defined as someone who is aware or conscious of his surroundings or sensations and thoughts, or responsive to physical stimuli. In other words, they are not clueless or insensitive to their surroundings and others. It would be such a shame to have a believer who is oblivious to his thoughts, God’s laws, to his surroundings and others. That would be foolish and selfish. They are also admonished to be role models of righteousness and know principles
of the laws of God in a pure and dignified manner. They are required to speak truth in love and beyond reproach, so that whoever opposes them will have no reason to say anything badly about them. The young men are easily prone to passions and impulses. Paul sees the possible problems that may arise if the youth follow their nature. It was something that Paul needed to emphasize because when you are young and free, one can easily be mindless and reckless which is unattractive to those who do not know Christ. It does not manifest the mind and heart of the Lord.
The slaves were also given instruction that they submit to their own masters in all things, to give their masters joy and satisfaction in how they serve them and not going against their authority and demands. They should not take anything that doesn’t belong to them and show them all the respect that they will also show God himself. In other words, they need to do to their masters, what they would do to God as well. As believers, Paul expects them to follow how humbly Jesus served mankind by dying for humanity to free them from sin.
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REFLECTION
• What is the relevance of these instructions to our youth and workers today?