Titus 2
But as for you, teach what accords with sound [and healthy, verses 2, 8 ] 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.
The purpose of life ~ that elusive thing. Is rather an easy - Mission Statement. The Purpose of LIFE is to grow up and go HOME to HIM.
We are always given an image of submission in halos and long robes. Jesus said to be salt and to be light. What is nicey nice about salt. And Light clarifies many situations.
Jesus Meek and Mild we sing. Jesus said He had a fire to cast. The Holy Spirit. We are supposed to grab and hold on to this:
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
This is all well and good and - if you are familiar with the Bible, we know this passage. This is a Very Important Concept. God loves us when we are small children and willful. God loves us if we were Buenos Dos Zapatoes (two goody shoes) in college. Stuck up in our youth. Bewildered. Worldly wise. Nerdy. Forgotten. Sought After. Middle aged. Weary. Upwardly driven. When God reaches out and tells us... you are the prodigal I RUN to; He means He fully and completely and totally and Creator of the Universe gets you. He LOVES you.
And no point, at no comma, at no flinch, does HE SAY - when - you clean up, HE is going to use your life as part of HIS plan. He is saying that to the depths of you, HE knows - you - HIS beloved.
Jeremiah 1:5a
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart
Psalm 33:15
He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
Deuteronomy 33:12
Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.
Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your sou
That rope, up there, the meaning - is:
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 11:29
for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.
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