WHAT IS APPROPRIATE TO SOUND DOCTRINE
Titus 2
“You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.”
Paul does not tell Titus what he means by what is appropriate to sound doctrine but in the examples he gave we can see that it is to embrace good and reject evil.
When we adhere to sound doctrine we will be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Christians will be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to love what is good. Those of us who follow Christ will love their spouses and children, be self-controlled and pure, busy at home, kind, submissive and not rebellious.
The Gospel is not a ticket to heaven regardless of what we choose, embrace and do.
Modern Christianity has developed in complex ways, emphasising ritual and worship, adherence to religious dogma and practices, all centred around the church and its activities. There is a real need to reclaim what is appropriate to sound doctrine.
Everyone knows what is good and what is evil. We all know what is right and what is wrong. Christians are to stand with what is good and right and reject what is evil and wrong.
God did not save us in order for us to indulge in evil and do what is wrong. Christ gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
The reality is, however, that all of us have a tendency to lower God’s standards as much as possible so that we can continue to feed our sinful nature and excuse our sinful habits. We focus on activities and participation, allowing the notion that these are what God really wants of us.
There is always a need for people who will once again bring us back to the right path and to do so with clarity and authority without fear of contradiction. Will we be passionate defenders of the Gospel, living it out with integrity, holding forth the concerns of our God without apology, eager to do what is good and right.
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”