By Morris Hafley
If you are thinking that this sounds like something God wants, you are exactly right. How ever, to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, as we are commanded in Titus 2:12, we must first know the meanings of the words. Then we can go from there.
(A) Soberly: self-governing, self-restraint; which means you are able to control your self through self discipline. You control your appetites, passions and affections, not the other way around. For example, many are familiar with Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics basketball team. He recognizes he must practice self control concerning his appetites. He knows that he cannot eat a dozen White Castles (who can?) after each game and still expect to perform as he does. Can we be Christians and not have self-control? See Proverbs 23:21. We must be able to control our thoughts and not let temptation lead us to sin.
(B) Righteously: whatever conforms to God’s will, whatever has been appointed by God to be obeyed, the sum total of the requirements of God. These definitions require us to study to be able to know exactly what God would have us to do. We must study (2 Tim. 2:15). It was required of us in school so we could pass the teacher’s tests. Jesus says, come to my school in Matthew 11:29; “come learn of me.” Get your Bible out a few minutes each day and learn how to be righteous.
(C) Godly: to live in a way that will be pleasing to God, according to God, or after a godly sort. The Hebrew writer tells us that to be pleasing to God we must have faith (11:6). Paul tells us, in Romans 10:17, that faith comes by hearing the word of God. A good place to hear the word of God is at the regular services of the church. Will you be there?
Guardian of Truth XXX: 9, p. 260
May 1, 1986