Titus 2 ~ all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Christmas Day Lunch group in Melbourne

Titus 2

¹ But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. ² Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. ³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, ⁴ and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. ⁶ Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.
⁷ Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸ and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. ⁹ Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³ waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

¹⁵ Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Pierre Auguste Renoir's Luncheon on the Boating Party, in 1861

One of the interesting points of reading the Scripture is - the people around you are constantly teaching you something. Applying the Scripture, "Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened" means..... fruit from the tree identifies the tree. Or to go non-biblical - birds of a feather wing together.

My son is experiencing his 5th (ugh) year of college, came home for the Christmas break & was doing what he does best - meeting and greeting - and he met two new females. After a date with the first one, he became interested in finding out about the other one and several opinions of her were easily found. The word 'hipster' appeared causing every one to leave the subject of "that girl" to have a different opinion of the word hipster. ( Try explaining to the younger generation who Marlo Thomas is and ... it becomes a glum deal.) Some people use it casually and some people are offended by it. My husband said it meant with it and fun to be with. My oldest son said it is defined musically to personality and hipster people are offended by it. My younger son said some people enjoy being hipster. Trevor said hipster describes itself.

Being the seeker sort, I looked it up in the Urban Dictionary - and voila - what is old is new again. Anti-establishment isn't always a bad thing - it is forging a new path. And ha, ha - this is found in each generation. My grandmother's generation would have said "hep cat" and people would have been offended by that sometimes. My childhood generation would have them wearing earth shoes and work shirts. And maybe a VW bus would be involved.

I enjoyed hearing the Scripture today and I encourage you to listen to it. With the listen button.

Of course it applies today. And the bottom line isn't 'fuddy-duddy'. Or dry and staid. But, but, but, but.... it can be. It really depends on what we are looking for in people. People have so many facets, like a diamond. It is up to us to Want to See the Best in Them - With Truth and it's inseparable component - Mercy. My son decided 'hipster' was great to be with if time and opportunity allow. My son is growing up. He had a prior romance where the heart lead first and the brain followed later. None of the common sense guidelines were followed and we still discuss "the last one" in tones of wistfulness and anger.

There is a principle to Titus 2 - Hipsters can be Titus 2.

Kind, Love, Self-controlled, Good Works, Integrity, Dignity, Not Argumentative - you understand the list and it explains - doctrine of God our Savior
You have to love the media... sometimes. Several recent movies have Christians actually cast as the "good guy" relief. I enjoyed the last Pirates of the Caribbean Movie - recently Christians are getting good press and why? We saved the Roman Empire to give it another, extra 200 years. Christians are worth the effort to cultivate and know. You know what you are getting. Treat Others the Way You Want to Be Treated. Titus 2 is good for us. Prayer is great for those unmarried children.

God knows.
Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

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