Today’s Reading, Titus 1-3 & Philemon 1
Focal Scripture: Titus 2:8 “Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.”
What we say is backed up by how we live. If we are speaking on behalf of the Lord we must have an expectation that how we live plays an important role in our message. I can’t tell you the number of people who say one thing about their faith but their lifestyle is completely contradictory to that message. They post Bible verses on Facebook and Instagram but treat people horribly. They will even go as far to commend people publicly but destroy them privately. Just because you say something doesn’t mean you preach it with your life.
In today’s reading Paul is discussing how young men should live out their faith. He wants young men to be self controlled. They should be examples of integrity and good works in their teaching. This can only be done by a person who lives out what they say to others. In doing so they are above reproach because their words are true and their speech is clear. People who live what they preach is the goal for Paul.
So what type of message do you preach? Do you have one message with your words but another with your lifestyle? I was once around a person who would say one thing with their mouth publicly. However, as soon as the doors were closed they would degrade, demean, and destroy any person who thought differently than them. They would speak about unity and love but have a lifestyle of gossip and anger. The message they preached did not match with their character. This reality caused distrust and pain for many.
Why do I tell that story? Because you need to know that a person can say whatever they want when things are going well and in public. The truth comes out in their life when things get difficult and painful. A person who has a message to share must not only speak it, but live it daily. Preaching is not just an outward event. Preaching is a lifestyle that comes from the inside.
I challenge you today to be a person who lives what they speak. Your message matters more with your life than with your words. But know this, when your words and your life match, great things happen and take place. God will use you and he will use his message to transform the world for Christ.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Hebrews 1-6
