During the sermon on the mount, Jesus told us:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

How we carry ourselves matters. As Christians, we carry the light of the Gospel inside of us wherever we go. Whether we verbalize it or not. It’s there, and there’s no way to hide it. This means that how we live our lives is essential.

In Titus 2:1, Paul told Titus what to teach and continues his discourse on sound doctrine that he brought up in Titus 1.

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

Titus 2:1 (NIV)

Then, Paul gives Titus specific instructions regarding different population segments. First, Paul addresses the older men, then the older women, through younger men and women, and finally enslaved people.

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 (emphasis added).

Titus 2:9-10 (NIV)

Paul told Titus to teach enslaved people to lead lives that made salvation attractive. This is, after all, the “teaching about God.” Paul didn’t tell Titus to teach the enslaved people the Gospel so they could preach it. He told them to teach it through their lives.

As Christians, trying to “sell” salvation is not up to us. No one can be saved unless the Lord calls them to be saved. Flowery words and turns of phrase will save no one. However, how we live our lives does matter. How we present ourselves in our lives matters. Not necessarily how good or blessed they are, but our thankfulness to God in all circumstances and the light of Christ in us makes the Gospel attractive. For, if we moan, groan, and complain like the world does when things are not going our way, how are we any different from the world? And if we are blessed with, let’s say, abundant finances, do we go crazy and act as the world does, spending without any discernment?

Even some of the most innocuous things could make the message of salvation unattractive. For example, I love listening to music that edifies the Lord. However, if I’m blaring loud praise and worship music, do my neighbors hear it and suddenly turn their hearts to Jesus, or do they hear it merely as “loud music?”

We could try and start policing our behavior, but I think it’s better to just do what Paul said in Colossians.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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