A transformed life advertises the thing that transformed it...
On her wedding day, a bride wants to look more beautiful than she ever has before. John recognizes this reality in Revelation 21:2, when he describes the New Jerusalem being “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Her hair, jewelry, makeup, dress, and even a prolonged period of exercise and diet can be some of the adornments that a bride utilizes to make herself beautiful for that occasion. Adorning a person or thing is tied very closely to how much that person or thing is valued. The more we value something, the more attractive we want to make it. The Temple of God was a place of great value. It is described as being “adorned with beautiful stones” (Lk. 21:5). Some people value their homes and adorn them with nice furniture, elaborate landscaping, renovations, etc.
Paul says that Christian women are to “adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Tim. 2:9). The virtuous “hidden person of the heart” (1 Pet. 3:4) is “adorned” by the outer beauty of modesty.
In a context in which Paul is exhorting Christian’s to exhibit various virtues, and influence others through these virtues (Titus 2:1-8), he gives guidelines to servants: striving to be obedient and pleasing to their masters, not being argumentative, not stealing, being trustworthy (9, 10). Then he gives the reason for this behavior: “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (v.10 ESV). The NIV says: “so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.”
Just like fine jewelry adorns a woman and beautiful landscaping adorns a house, the virtuous life of a Christian adorns the doctrine of God. Through faithful and righteous living, we “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” We shine our Christian light to glorify God (Matt. 5:16; Philip. 2:15). In so doing, we show others that God and His word are valuable to us. We are supposed to show God’s word as beautiful – as the one thing in this world that can save us (Jms 1:21; 1 Tim. 4:16).
God’s word transforms us (Rom. 12:2). And a transformed life advertises the thing that transformed it.
If you are trying to teach someone God’s word, it is nearly impossible for them to see His word for its true beauty and power, if they can’t see it’s changing power in your life. A transformed life – one that transcends what the world can offer – has always been one of the best evangelistic tools. The worship, actions, and words of Paul and Silas, in the presence of the Philippian jailor, made the gospel attractive to him. They were adorning the doctrine of God so beautifully through their lives that it made the jailor want what they had, without even knowing what it was (Acts 16:25-34). If you truly live a transformed life, people around you will be attracted to the truth that your life is adorning – the very teachings of God at the heart of your transformation.
-Cary Gillis D.Min. October 9, 2020
“Adorn the Doctrine of God”
(Titus 2:10)
