Titus 2:1-2 - 2 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

Thoughts on today's verses:

Paul was encouraging Titus in the pastorate about some of the issues that he should be addressing as the pastor of that church. He then zeroes in on the elder men and tells Titus to teach them three things that were in accordance with the society of the time: sober, that is, showing restraint; reverent, not presumptuous, and temperate - or balanced.

Then he goes on to give three aspects that highlight the Christian aspect of an older believer: sound in faith, in love, and in patience - characteristics which were not widely accepted or practiced by the elderly in that particular time. For some, especially the unsaved, getting older often brings with it certain physical pains, irritability, the difficulty of accepting change. But, Paul tells Titus that when one is a Christian their life is supposed to be different!

"For a Christian, old age should bring greater love for God, for the people of God, and for the sacred things of God. Those who have walked with Christ for many years should rejoice in that privilege and in the prospect of one day seeing Him face to face. A church should value and honor those who have spent many years in fellowship with the Lord, in the study of His Word, and in service to and through His church." (MacArthur, Titus, p. 72)

How are you doing, friend? Perhaps you have been saved for a while now. Is your love for God greater than it was initially? Do you love the people of God more than you did before? Are you excited at the prospect of seeing the Lord face to face? Do you love to read the Word more now, than at the first? We can all ask these probing questions, so that we too may be models to emulate rather than examples to avoid!