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 Titus 2:9-15 - Pray for Revival

Nothing is too hard for God.  God made the heavens and the earth (Jeremiah 32:17).  Upon King Jesus’ return God will make new heavens and new earth (2 Peter 3:13).  The newly created earth is one of God’s promises to us (Isaiah 65:17).  But before the destruction and recreation God “wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9).  I believe that.

        Let us pray for many to turn to God today.  Let us pray for revival - in our own homes, first and foremost.  But also across the globe.  Let us thank God for His grace.  Only by God’s grace do we live and breathe.

Don’t take my word for it.  But the Bible says that you, as a believer in Jesus Christ, have the Holy Spirit in you.  As such, “you are the temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 6:16).  What a crazy thought.  The temple!  Of God.  Humbling.  I am certainly not worthy.  None of us is.

        But Jesus loves us.  He gives us the promise that we are His people.  No matter what situation we are in, He is with us, in us, today.  We are to be united in God’s love, with one heart and one purpose: to worship God forever - for our good and for the good of our children (Jeremiah 33:38-39, Ephesians 4:24, and Titus 2:12).  God is Good - always!

May this be a day that we pray for revival.  Truly.  Pray for that difficult person at work.  Pray for your enemies.  And your friends.  May we separate ourselves from evil, repent, and thank God for His grace and for the good He is doing for us - and for our children.  Now, and into eternity.

We see in this passage a discussion about slaves.  Never does the Bible endorse slavery.  On the contrary, the Bible clearly lists slave trading as wicked and evil, not from God.  And like every evil - something God’s people should have nothing to do with.  The Bible tells us to recognize that there are bond servant-type relationships in every generation and in every nation.  When a Christian man or woman is in one of these situations God has principles that apply to how we should think and act.  By what we say and do we prove ourselves to be trustworthy and good.  We are only able to be good because of what God does in us.  Persevere.  Trust God's timing.

The overarching principle here, I suggest, is to live wisely in every situation.  That means following the Holy Spirit rather than our human nature in all that we do.  We must be prepared, and always ready to do good works of every kind - easier said than done in many situations.

        As a legal advisor for almost three decades now, I’ve seen tremendously wicked people in secular and Christian organizations.  God allows the weeds to grow alongside the wheat.  The real world throws ethical challenges at us that cannot be taught in school.  There is little limit on the devil’s schemes and creativity to manipulate and tempt the man of God.  And yet there is nothing new under the Sun.  God has watched Satan’s worn-out schemes from generation to generation.

        Money, power, and lust - those are the broad-stroke categories of how the devil takes a Christian down - and yes, there are a thousand schemes under those categories.  You will think you are not susceptible to those schemes; but, alas, we all are.

        Be on guard, for the battle is real, and the stakes are high.

        You are making a difference.  Keep going.  The actions of the man or woman of God are attractive in every way.  Your kind words, even the way you smile at people today may change their life.  Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of God’s teaching.

        This passage is preaching to me as I know that my actions must reflect what God teaches here.  So often in the church, there is a disconnect between what we say and what we do.  Hypocrites.  Frauds.  Liars.  Fakers.  Manipulators.  Thugs.  Boastful men. Rude women.  Etc.  All brings such shame to the church.  But I believe we can and will fulfill God’s purpose for His people.  For we know that Wisdom hates what is evil.  We all know that God wants no part of that behavior, and yet we condone it, nay, even encourage it.  Let’s stop that today.  Commit to it.

        Pray for revival.  May each member of the body of Christ repent of our sins and turn to godly living.  May we be obedient to God and His way.  Find ways to help and serve and please others - for God’s honor.  Never steal or be dishonest with money.  Be entirely trustworthy.  And good.  

        We can live well in Christ in every situation.  With God’s help, we can live victoriously and make the teaching about God attractive in every way.

        Lord Jesus, this is your day and we thank you for it.  May we live well as your holy body today.  Please bring revival across this land.  Amen.


President George Washington.  Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC


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