Titus 2:10 - Bringing Honor to the Family

Titus 2:10 "not pilfering, but showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect." (NASB)

I distinctly remember one time, as a boy growing up, when I consciously thought about the consequences of an action I was asked to take part in. The consequences I thought of primarily centered around what people might think of me, and more importantly, my family, if I participated in this activity (egging someone's car) and was found out.

What stands out about this particular time, though, is that my thoughts were not centered on any possible punishment that might come to me as a result of this activity, but on what possible effect it might have on my parents if I was somehow found out.

I've thought some about this as I've grown up..........and thought of what shame it could have brought to the family had I gone through with it and had been discovered.

Of course, there were other times when I was more concerned about what my punishment might be..........and there were times in later life when I didn't care about either..........it was me.......me.......me.........what was best for me.

When I read tonight's scripture I reflected back on this one event in my early life.........and what came into my mind is how much more I must be aware of the Family name when I'm out in the world..............the Family of Jesus, that is.

If I do what Paul suggests I'll stay in the proper mindset. If I live my life to "adorn" the doctrine of my Lord "in every respect", then at the end I'll be able to say I've been successful.

I'll always be reminding myself, though, of the times I didn't quite measure up............I'll be the one to remember, though, the Lord has long since forgotten them since He forgave me of my sins.

I'm a member of the Family of Jesus............who didn't have to give me a place in His Family.........but He did through His Sacrifice on the Cross. And I find it a matter of Family pride now that I do my part to make sure that what I do brings honor to the Family Name......and honor to the Head of this great Family.

Love in Jesus,

Jim

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"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." (1 Corinthians 12:18 NASB)

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

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This devotional was originally posted on CCI-Devo - Daily Group Devotionals on April 23, 2004 in post #534. It was written by Jim Ross, a former United Pentecostal Church member, who attends Christian Challenge International, the sponsor of the devotional group. The devotional is the copyright of Jim Ross and is reprinted on this site by permission.

Page added April 14, 2006

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