Make the Teaching about God Attractive

“Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” (Titus 2:9-10)

The way you live your life can make the Bible’s message about Jesus attractive. Isn’t that amazing? Of course, we can’t add anything to the good news that Jesus died for all our sins and gives us eternal life through faith in him. There’s nothing we can add to that best message in the world. Yet, as believers in Jesus, the way we live our lives can make the good news of God our Savior attractive to others.

Even if you’re a slave. Unfortunately, slavery was common in Bible times. Some historians estimate that at the time of Jesus, over 1/3 of all the residents of Rome were slaves. As Paul shared the gospel around the world, some slaves became Christians. How were they to live as Christian slaves?

It must have been hard. Can you imagine being a slave? Their sinful natures must have hated their masters. There was a part of them that wanted to hurt their masters in whatever way possible: Stealing, slandering, cheating, laziness… It would have been so tempting to disrespect their masters in every way.

Yet, God called on those Christians slaves to be different. They were to try to please their masters, no matter how unjust or cruel they were. They were to not talk back or steal from their masters. Instead, they were to show that they could be fully trusted in every way. Why? “So that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” That’s always the goal: Attract others to Jesus.

You’re not a slave, but you’re probably an employee or a student. Can you see how the Bible’s words are meant for you? Show respect to your teachers or bosses in everything. Try to please them, as much as it depends on you. Don’t join in with your classmates in talking back to your teacher. Don’t join in with your coworkers in stealing from your company. Instead, let your light shine for Jesus.

Why? So that in every way you make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. 

Dear heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you have placed each of us into a unique station in life. Give us faith and humility to serve those whom you have placed over us, so that we make your teaching more attractive to them. Amen. 

Pastor Nathan