'Cause He Said So

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14 ESV). A few years back, Sports Illustrated magazine reported on a T-ball game in Wellington, Florida, where a seven-year-old first baseman, Tanner Munsey, fielded a ground ball and tried to tag a runner going from first to second. The umpire, Laura Benson, called the runner out. But young Tanner immediately went to the umpire and said, "Ma'am, I didn't touch him." The umpire reversed her decision and sent the runner back to second base. Tanner's coach awarded him the game ball for his honesty. Two weeks later, Laura Benson was again the umpire, and Tanner Munsey was playing shortstop when a similar play occurred. This time, Benson ruled that Tanner had missed the tag on the runner going to third base, and she called the runner safe. Tanner, with a strange expression, but without saying a word, tossed the ball to the pitcher and returned to his position. Benson, sensing that Tanner was troubled, asked Tanner, "Did you tag the runner?" He said, "Yes." Benson called the runner out! The opposing coach came roaring onto the field in protest, but Laura Benson explained to him what had happened two weeks earlier. "If a kid is that honest," she said, "I have to give it to him. This game is supposed to be for kids". The umpire made a decision based on the word of that young boy! She reversed her call “’cause he said so.” I wonder how many people would change their mind in a decision ‘cause we said so? God calls us as Christians to be genuine people, living lives which are honest, upright, and truthful. The way we live and the decisions we make influence others, therefore our priorities must be focused on God. Let's live genuine Christian lives, void of superficiality and doubt. Paul lists three tips to make this easier in his instruction to Titus. First, he said we should exercise self-control. Self-control begins with a clear understanding of our commitment to Christ. There can be no partial commitment in the lives of genuine believers. None of us is strong enough to control our desires. Only the full control of the Holy Spirit in our lives is sufficient for that. Second, Paul says we are exercise right conduct. That’s the action part of the triad. When we have begun to come under the control of the Holy Spirit in our lives, it becomes natural that right conduct follows. Focus on the actions of your life toward others. Is it really what Jesus would do? Then, last, Paul says to live in devotion to God. This is that point at which God becomes more important than anything else in our lives is. How many people would change their decision ‘cause you said so? Maybe you need to begin to practice those three principles today.