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.
When people buy a new home in a new development, there will be a model home that prospective buyers can inspect to know what to expect from the home they might buy. Presumably, it is a carbon copy of the rest of the homes once they are built. Paul told Titus to be that model home so people would know what a Christian looks like and how it operates. Paul had finished slamming the Cretans as evil brutes and moved on to the exhortations for men and women. You might ask how to keep young men self-controlled. Apparently, the problem is ancient as well as modern. Here is the answer. Model it for them. This way, other Christians, even young men, will know how to act. More than that, though, it will silence critics of the gospel when they see the integrity, dignity, and sound speech of the followers of Christ. They will hate the sight of these virtues but there is little of substance they can say against it so they are left with the remaining option, which is mockery and mischaracterization. May we not be discouraged by this but continue to be the walking imprint of the image of Christ in the world so the world may know him as Lord.
Dear Lord, thank you for the example of Jesus Christ. Help us to be a model of Christlike behavior so your kingdom will grow. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church