You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1)
Paul has left a trail of house churches on Crete and now charges Titus to 'straighten out what was left unfinished.' (1:5) Church is messy because it is made up of messy people. Paul indirectly names some of the messiness in his explicit instructions to Titus on what he should teach. The running sore that is the 'circumcision party' is threatening to smother the new-found faith of those Paul has evangelized.
Along the way, Paul encourages Titus to teach Christian ethics that is consistent with sound doctrine. Sound doctrine and Christian ethics are bound together. One makes no sense without the other. Ethics separated from sound doctrine will soon deteriorateinto death-dealing legalism or wishy-washy liberalism. Sound doctrine that is not expressed in ethical living is fact devoid of any meaningful expression - all bark and no bite.
Every time I teach or preach there must be a 'so-what' clause. For example, of I preach the amazing and faithful love of God from Romans 8, I should leave the congregation with a response challenge. Reading Paul's letters these last few weeks, I have been reminded just how intensely practical they are as he offers insightful advice on Christian living. The same letters also soar with rhetoric that paints a beautiful picture of the wonder of God's character and saving work in Christ - sound doctrine. Lord, as one you have set apart to pastor and preach, help me to teach faithfully both sound doctrine and practical ethics.
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