A-Game
Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility . . . . (Titus 2:6-7 NKJV)
When believers understand the precious value attached to the doctrine of God's Word, they can't help but be affected. They recognize that what they're handling is heavenly and deserves their A-game. In the verses above, Paul told Titus that his A-game needed to have three features.
First, Titus needed to declare doctrine with integrity. In the original Greek language, integrity means 'freedom from corruptible mixtures or adulterations.' A more modern way of putting it would be 'no additives or preservatives.' God's truth must be shared without diluting it in any way. It must be presented in its pure form without foreign spiritual substances that will eventually rob it of its power.
Titus was also responsible to declare doctrine reverently. I'm concerned whenever I hear someone refer to God as 'the man upstairs.' Make no mistake, I appreciate the freedom we enjoy in our relationship with God, but I also appreciate how holy, perfect, powerful, and deserving of respect He is. Remember, this is the same God who dwells in unapproachable glory (1 Timothy 6:16) and who will cause the kings of the earth to call out for the rocks to cover them from His wrath (Revelation 6:15-16). If there's ever a time for us to be reverent, it's when we're talking about our great and glorious God.
Last, Pastor Titus was expected to declare doctrine with a sense of incorruptibility. The King James Version of the Bible uses the word sincerity here. It conveys that we are to be true, real, and unpretentious in our interactions with others. We're not to masquerade like everything is fine when it isn't. Sincerity is essential when declaring doctrine because it prevents pride from taking hold in our hearts.
Whether in a public setting or one-on-one, we need to bring our A-game when declaring God's doctrine. Anything less is unbecoming of us and disrespectful toward Him.
DIG - How should God's doctrine be declared?
DISCOVER - When was the last time you declared doctrine, and how did you do it?
DISPLAY - Ask God to help you with your A-game.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
At the age of 24, Bob Coy left a coveted position in the music industry to serve as an associate pastor with Calvary Chapel of Las Vegas. In 1985, Bob and his wife, Diane, moved to Fort Lauderdale and began Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale. As senior pastor, he has become well known for his unique style in expounding the Scriptures, making them come alive and relate to those of us living in the 21st century. His teaching style emphasizes the believer's "life application" of the highest standards of God's truth while his delivery captures the loving heart of God's Spirit.
Pastor Bob has had the rare privilege of watching God's miraculous hand move in the individual lives of those in the fellowship as well as the corporate body as a whole. From the first meeting in a living room with four in attendance, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale has now become home to over 17,000 men and women from the tri-county area, and ranks as the eighth largest church in the country. Though many have tried to attribute its rapid growth to numerous reasons, no one is more surprised by the phenomenon than Pastor Bob, who gives total credit and all the glory to God alone.
Visit the Active Word website at: http://www.activeword.org/