Titus 2:1-15:

[1] But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. [2] Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. [3] Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, [4] and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, [5] to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. [6] Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. [7] Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, [8] and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. [9] Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, [10] not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. [11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, [14] 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. [15] Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Introduction:

Good morning again. It truly is a joy to be be able to bring the word to you again this morning. Let me start by saying that I love singing with you all. I love that the bride here at SHC desires to proclaim with our voices the excellencies of Him who call us out of darkness and into light. We are in Titus chapter 2, verses 1-15. This is part 2 of what Pastor Brett beautifully titled “Living in Sound Doctrine.”

Our goal for this morning is to pick up where we left off last week and continue to look at the call to live in sound doctrine. In verse 1, we read that Paul is to teach what accords with sound doctrine. Paul then addresses 6 different groups of people according to age, gender, and occupation on how they are to live in sound doctrine in verse 2-10. Pastor Brett did an excellent job covering the first 3 in verses 1-5 which, if you remember, we’re older men, older women, and younger women. Hopefully you had a chance to listen to the sermon as it will be an aid to our understanding this morning.

Our task, for this morning, is to look at verses 6-10 to see the final 3 which are YOUNG MEN, TEACHERS/PASTORS, and BONDSERVANTS. Then at the end of this sermon we are going to carefully examine verses 11-15 to see how beautifully they fit with living in sound doctrine.

Young Men: Simply be Self-controlled

Look with me at verse 6,

[6] Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

Paul starts by saying “likewise.” In the same way urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Titus has been charged to teach what accord with sound doctrine and Paul has been showing Titus what particularly he is to teach each group of people that accords with sound doctrine. Now, understand that by separating the groups, Paul is not saying only certain things apply to certain people but what he is doing is addressing what needs to be taught to address the flesh most appropriately. He is focusing on the different groups biggest need. What I love about about this address to young me is he only calls for one thing, self-control. That’s it, that’s all we can handle. And he tells Titus to urge them to be self-controlled. To word for urge here is “used for every kind of calling that is intended to produce a particular effect.” And it is in the structure, the Greek is intended to show a command to do something in the future that involves continuous or repeated action.

SELF-CONTROLLED:

So, Paul is saying, “stay on top of those young men, continually call them to be self-controlled.” What a young man most needs to live according to sound doctrine is to be self-controlled. What does Paul mean by this? The word used means,

“To be sober-minded; to prudently restrict one’s freedom, to be discreet (Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35 (demon possessed man ‘in his right mind’; Rom. 12:3 (think in ‘sober judgement); 2 Corinthians 5:13 (our ‘right mind’); Titus 2:6; 1 Pet. 4:7 (self-controlled and sober minded))”

So, Paul is saying, teach young men to be in the right mind, which is prudently restricting their freedom. This means they are to think rightly of themselves and control their passions. Not just teach them once but continually urge them to be self controlled. Titus, this is what young men need, to learn to be self-controlled. This is true even today is it not? Isn’t the greatest detriment to the gospel the young mans lack of self-control. We live in a day and age when thinking rightly and prudently restricting one’s freedom is a foreign concept. We are suppose to be free to chase whatever dream we want aren’t we?

But notice beloved, Paul is not just talking about lust. There are so many ways we need to exercise self-control. Lust is just the most visible expression of the lack of self-control. We may have a hold on our lust but we have no control over our anger. We may have a hold on our lust and anger but do not have control over our greed or desire to be recognized or famous. We may have a hold on all these things but do not have control over our fiery tongues. And we certainly don’t seek to be discreet. This does not mean we are free to hide our sins and exercise “freedom” in secret. This means we don’t seek to have the fame or place ourselves over the older men who are sound in faith. We have self-control over our ambition as well. Beloved, what the young man needs most is to learn how to exercise self-control over his passions. What I need most as a young man is to be self-controlled. Even though my wife spent the last 3 months calling me old because I turned 30, I am still young, haha. I am a passionate person if you haven’t been able to tell, and what I need the most is to be urged to be self-controlled. I need to be urged to reign in my passions. The elders can attest to this and I am grateful that they urge me to be self-controlled. Listen to how Paul talks about his own self-control in 1 Corinthians 9 (this is the ultimate model of self-control),

 [19] For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. [20] To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. [21] To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. [22] To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. [23] I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. [24] Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. [25] Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. [26] So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. [27] But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:19-27)

This is not just the call for young men though is it? We see this in verse 2 for older men and verse 5 for younger women and again in verse 12. All be it different structures but the same root words. All are called to self control, but Titus is told to urged self-control for young men. That is what they need the most. Let’s move on to the next group,

Titus (Teachers): Be a model in good works and sound speech

Paul has moved through 4 groups of people (older men, older women, younger women, and younger men) and suddenly he stops to address Titus specifically. This may seem odd and out of place at first glance. But let’s look at what he specifically addresses about Titus in verses 7 and 8, he says,

[7] Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, [8] and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”

Paul is addressing the example Titus is to set, in good works and in his teaching. The primary focus is on his teaching. Do you remember the evaluation of the false teachers? They were “empty talkers and deceivers…teaching what they ought not to teach.” And the Cretans are all “liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons.” So, I believe What we need to see here in order to understand how we can apply this is that Titus is the primary teacher in the church, the primary pastor if you will. So, this portion of living in sound doctrine is primarily for those of us that labor over the word to teach. But we will also see how this applies to all of us. Let’s break this down now.

First, Paul calls Titus to be a model. Literally Paul is calling Titus to be a type. The word he uses here is Tupos and means, “type, a model of some reality which was yet to come, a prototype or that which was yet to be developed.” When you build a machine you start with the prototype. When you get the prototype right you then use that as a model or guide for all the machines you will then produce. So, as a prototype is the model by which all the other machines are made like, Titus and pastors are to be the model or prototype of what the body should look like. How is he to do that?

MODEL IN GOOD WORKS

The first thing we see in verse 7 is that Titus is be a model of good works. I think we need to see what Paul is doing in the Greek. We miss this in the English. If you notice, we see the word “good” again down in verse 11. Yet, Paul is using 2 different Greek words. In verse 11 he uses agathos which means “good and benevolent, kind” (this word is also used in verse 5 and is translated kind), but here Paul uses a different word. This word is Kalos and it means “constitutionally good without necessarily being benevolent.” This word is used in verse 14 again which we will examine later. So, Paul is not primarily pointing to benevolent works here. He is not pointing to acts kindness or social action works. While, those kinds of works are involved in all our lives, Paul is primarily pointing to works that are constitutionally good. He is calling Titus, and pastors, to be a model of that which accords with their constitution or their make up. And this is meant to be seen as the new mans make up in Christ. “Titus, be a prototype of that which is good, which is all of these things.”

EXAMPLE IN TEACHING

The second way Titus is to show an example is in his teaching.Titus 2:7-8a:

[7] in your teaching show integrity, dignity, [8] and sound speech that cannot be condemned,”

First, Paul shows that the teacher of the church (Titus) is to be a model in good works that corresponds to the nature of the new man and sound doctrine. Now he addresses how the pastors teaching accords with sound doctrine.

A little side note here: Notice the teacher or pastor is not merely called to proclaim the word. He is called to be the prototype of the effect of that preaching. Sam, Brett, Doug and Craig, we cannot simply teach the word and think we have done our jobs as pastors. We need to be the prototypes of its effect on the believers life. We need to show what good works are. Primarily in our make up as the new man but also in our benevolence or service. Yes, elders are to labor in teaching and prayer but they are also to be a model of good works. Woe to us if we fail to see the need to be models of good works. Ok, now back to our text. Look at how Titus is to be a model in his teaching.

First in integrity. Literally incorruptible or sincere. The teachers teaching should have integrity with it. It should be sincere and incorruptible. The only thing incorruptible is the word of God and the pastor should be sincere in his teaching. It should also carry dignity. This is the ability to perform well ones duties as a citizen, while showing that the dignity is not from this earth but from heaven, thus drawing respect. The teaching should bring with it dignity that gives the ability to draw ones respect.

And finally, the pastor should show sound speech. His teaching, and general speech, should be wholesome and sound. And get this, the word used for speech here is logos. When this word is used in Greek in relation to discourse it “is regarded as the orderly linking and knitting together in connected arrangement of words of the inward thoughts and feelings of the mind” (Zodiates). So the teacher should be able to use wholesome speech to connect appropriate words that convey the inward thoughts and feelings of the mind.There is a sobering care that the pastor inside the church needs to take with his life and teaching. He is to be the prototype of things to come, in his works and in his teaching.

So, what does this mean for those that aren’t called to be pastors. It means that you hold your pastor to this kind of standard. You seek men who are striving to be prototypes. Not perfect but striving. Sit under men who take careful care over their teaching and their good works. Don’t settle for less because they show you the example of how to live in sound doctrine. We will address the end of verse 8 in a moment. For now, let’s move onto the final group.

Bondservants (Employees): Be submissive, well-pleasing, and honest

Titus 2:9-10

[9] Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, [10] not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.”

After Paul addresses the example Titus is to be, he turns his attention to the final group of people,  bondservants or slaves. The word is douloi, from doulos, and literally refers to one who is under submission, under bondage. In the ancient Roman world slaves were a essential part of life. Some were mistreated, abused and even killed. Others were cared for and loved. Some were even placed in high positions in the family. Do you remember the story of Joseph and Pottifer. He was placed over the whole household. A bondservant is one that would chose to serve after they were given the opportunity for freedom because of the love they had for the family they had become a part of. That maybe be the type of slaves Paul is referring to here, which is why it has been translated bondservant. However, it may be the slave who is under bondage as well. I don’t want us to get distracted by trying to figure out what kind of slave is being referred to. The fact is, the text doesn’t address the condition of the slave, what it does address is how the slave that has been redeemed by Christ and is living in sound doctrine should behave toward their masters. If we go too far and say this only relates to those under the easy ruling masters we will miss the deep calling of the gospel to shine light in the midst of dark oppressive rule. Yet, in the same way if we say this is only for the true slave we will miss how it relates to our lives as those not under slavery. Let me be clear that the bible does not condone slavery. You can find great resources on our website from our time in Ephesians on the subject. And I think Pastor Sam was right to point out when we were studying Ephesians to show how we are all douloi’s or slaves in a way. Let me show you how as we look at the call of the gospel on the slaves life.

First they are to be “submissive to masters.” The Greek word simply means “to place in and orderly fashion under something.” It is the word hupotasso which if you remember is the opposite of insubordination in chapter 1 verse 10 with the false teachers. The term “masters” here is despotes. And this is not the same term that used for the good master, Jesus Christ. That is Kurios. Listen to what one commentary said on this term.   

“A despotes wields unlimited authority, not always for the good, while a kurios excersises morally restricted authority for good.” (Zodiates)

So did you notice that Paul is calling for the slave to be submissive to the despotes not the kurios. Paul does not say run or get out but place yourself under in an orderly fashion. Listen to the way Peter says it in 1 Peter 2:18,

[18] Servants, be subject to your masters (same greek words) with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.

The servant is to be submissive regardless or what kind of master he is serving. And we all have to place ourselves under the authority of another right? Children to parents, employees to employers, wives to husbands in Ephesians 5, and church to elders/shepherds. And ultimately sheep to the great shepherd Jesus Christ. Paul’s doesn’t give room for the “you don’t understand how they disrespect me” conversation. This is hard stuff, is it not? Yet, Paul goes on.The slaves is also to be Well-Pleasing, Not argumentative, and not pilfering. We are to be pleasing to our masters, and not argumentative, literally not speaking against or contradicting, and certainly not embezzling or pilfering. But rather, what? “showing good faith to all.” The word for good this time means “good and benevolent” and the faith is pistos which he is probably meant to communicate faithful. The slave is to show kind benevolent faithfulness to their master regardless of what kind of master that is. Once again, that is tough is it not? It is not in our nature to place ourselves under anyone much less a tough and hard masters is it? In fact we are consistent taught the opposite, right? Even from our the pulpits of some churches. You have probably heard the phrase before “God doesn’t want to to be a doormat” used to call people to stand up for their rights. REALLY! What about turning the other cheek and giving your cloak? And what about this verse. Is that not exactly what the word is telling us here? This is the slave Paul is talking about! Listen to some other scripture speaking to slaves.

Colossians 3:22

[22] Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing The Lord.”

1 Timothy 6:1

[1] Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.

Now, don’t hear me wrong on this, we are not called to follow that which disobeys Gods word. And again, the bible does not condone abuse or slavery. This does not mean we keep ourselves under abusive authority if there is a way of escape or let people consistently take advantage of kindness, like elder abuse. But this does strike against the desire we see rampant today to constantly defend every little right that we think we have. The Bible calls for slaves to be submissive and sincerely obedient. This is a hard call for the slave but the call none the least. Now that we have seen the lives we are called to live in sound doctrine. I want to spend our remaining time answering our 2 questions

WHY AND HOW:

I am going to call these questions the purpose clause and the motivational clause or Paul’s letter. The first question we are going to answer is, WHY are we to live in sound doctrine (the purpose clause). And the second is, HOW are to live in sound doctrine (the motivational clause). Both of the answers are right in the word before us. First,

Why: So that statements

There are 3 “so that” statements in our text. One was in Pastors Brett’s section from last week and the other 2 in ours this morning. All three statements are using the Greek particle hina which indicates a purpose clause. Let’s look now at each one of these then put them all together to see why we are to live in sound doctrine. The first one is in verse 5,

SO THAT THE WORD OF GOD MAY NOT BE REVILED:

Titus 2:5

[5] to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Young women are to be taught to be self controlled, pure and submissive to their husbands SO THAT the word of God may not be reviled. This indicates that if the young women is not these things the word of God is reviled. The way we live has an effect on how the word of God is perceived by others. Do we show the power of Gods word in our life. The next purpose clause is in verse 8,

SO THAT THE THE GOSPEL WILL NOT BE HINDERED:

Titus 2:8

[8] and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Titus is to be a model of good works and teach with integrity, dignity, and sound speech so that an opponent has nothing evil to say about “us.” Did you notice that Paul said us? The opponent should not be able to saying anything evil about Paul or Titus or other believers for that matter. Now, “Having nothing evil to say…” does not mean no one will say anything negative. Remember, 1 Corinthians says that the gospel is a stumbling block. Having nothing evil means that their speech and life would not be the cause of the stumbling. The final purpose clause is in verse 10,

SO THAT SALVATION MAY BE SEEN AS GLORIOUS:

Titus 2:10

[ 10] not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Slaves are to be submissive and show all good faith so that they may adorn the doctrine of God. This is the Greek word where we get cosmetics from. It denotes the idea of arranging jewels in a pattern to showcase them. It is a garnish. The slaves obedience to his master, even a cruel one, showcases the doctrine of God our Savior. We are the display of the effect of the gospel. The power of God to redeem sinful men and women is on display in our lives. This is what all of these purpose clauses are saying. Gods salvation is on display in you. Jesus Himself said it in the Sermon on the Mount when He said,

 let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

God has designed our faith and godliness to reflect his glory. We play a part. Listen to these words of Paul in Colossians 1:24,

[24] Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

Does this mean that Christ’s afflictions were insufficient? No, that is not what Paul is saying. Paul uses this phrase one more time in the NT in Philippians 2 when speaking of Epaphrodites service to him. He says,

2 [30] for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

He is speaking of the physical presence of Epaphrodites ministering to him, that is what was lacking in the Philippians service to him. So, likewise, in Colossians he is speaking of his physical evident afflictions. We do not see the physical afflictions of Christ. We can try to make as many movies to visualize them but we do not see and touch them. By Gods grace, He uses us to be the physical/visible representation of salvation. Do you feel the weight of all of that beloved? We, the redeemed, are the physical/visual representation of God our Savior. We are the arrangement of jewels. The world is meant to see us and glorify God. Do you feel the weight of that? That is a heavy weight. Which leads us to our final question.

How: By leaning firmly on the grace of God

The second question bleeds out of the first, how do we do this? How do we live in sound doctrine? And how are we not completely overwhelmed by this calling? I believe our answer is found in the motivation Paul gives for Titus to “teach what accords with sound doctrine.” In order for us to see this, we need to start by seeing how this entire chapter fits together. Remember this is written as a letter. So, it has a flow to it. Look at the flow with me.

Paul opens in verse 1, which follows his addressing of the false teachers in Crete, by saying,

[1] But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

He has just gotten done showing the dangers of the false teachers in Crete. He has laid down a serious evaluation if their character, shown the dangerous effect of their teaching, and shown how the Titus and the elders, and ultimately the church should respond (by not paying attention and rebuke). I encourage you to listen to the sermons on the previous texts online if you have missed any of them. So he addresses the danger in Crete, and now he says, “But as for you…” As for you, Titus, teach what accords with sound doctrine. You may remember from a couple weeks ago that what Paul means by sound doctrine here is “the healthy teaching.” It is translated doctrine because he is not just talking about teaching but “the teaching.” It is “the teaching” of Christ, and “the teaching” of the apostles. It is the teaching of the word of God, no adding to it and no taking away from it. But what I want us to see is that there is a particular doctrine I believe Paul has in mind here. Paul starts by saying, “Titus, as for you teach what accords or corresponds with sound doctrine” in verses 1and then I believe he gives a particular doctrine he has in mind in verses 11-15. Look with me at verse 11,

[11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people,”

This is the motivational clause of the chapter. Paul is saying, “Titus, teach what accords with the teaching of Christ which is healthy,” then, as we have seen in verses 2-10, he tells Titus to teach about godly living. And here, in verse 11, he gives the motivation for teaching these things, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.” Paul particularly has in mind the gospel and even more specifically the doctrine of grace. I want you to see how it relates to verses 2-10 because I believe it is vitally important to understand this.

GRACE IN GODLY LIVING:

We know Paul has the gospel in mind because he says ” the grace of God appeared.” There has been a physical/visible manifestation of the grace of God. It has appeared. And we can know this refers to the incarnation of Christ because Paul links this appearing with the second coming in verse 13,

[13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

But, notice when he addresses the grace of God. This comes right after telling Titus to teach things about godly living. Teach about good works, Titus, because the grace of God has appeared and brought true salvation. Verses 11-15 address 2 misunderstandings we have about grace. The first misunderstanding is that,

GRACE GIVES US AN ALLOWANCE TO SIN (Antinomianism):

Paul is telling Titus to teach on godly living which accords with the doctrine of Grace. Did you catch that? Godly living corresponds with the doctrine of grace. We have been addressing this a lot in our 1 John study have we not? Grace does not give an allowance for sin because godly living accords with the doctrine of Grace. The second misunderstanding Paul addresses is that,

GRACE IS FOR SALVATION ALONE:

I think this is the one we are primarily tempted to go along with. Notice the flow of thought in verses 11-12,

[11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,”

So, Grace appear (Christ appeared) and it brought this with it, salvation and training to renounce ungodliness and live godly lives in the present age. And Paul continues in verse 13,

[13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

So, The grace of God appeared, which we showed was Christ’s incarnation. And it brings 3 things with it in these verses: salvation, training in righteousness, and anticipation for the future return of Christ. Beloved, grace is not just for salvation, it is also for sanctification and future glorification. You are not just saved from wrath, you are made new and given the power to finally live godly lives. The gospel doesn’t replace the demands of God’s holiness. It is the fuel to “be holy as God is holy.” It is the charger for the battery of godly living. This is not legalism, this is the power of God working through you. Look again at verse 14,

[14] 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.

Notice that Christ has redeemed us from something and for something. He has redeemed us from lawlessness and for good works. This is the constitutionally good works we spoke of earlier. And it is for people who are zealous for them. The older man is zealous to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, sound in live and in steadfastness. The older women is zealous to be reverent in behavior, not slanders or slaves to much wine and to teach younger women. Younger women are to be zealous to love their husbands and children, self-controlled, pure, kind, working at home, and submissive to their husbands. Younger men are to be zealous to be self-controlled. Teacher and pastors are to be zealous to be a model of good works and sound speech. And Bondservants are to be zealous to be submissive and well pleasing to their master. Why? Because we are the physical example of the result of the grace of God. How do we do this? We lean firmly on the grace of God. We trust the promises of God and we trust the grace of God at work within us.

Before we conclude our time this morning I want to recommend a book for you to have on your book shelf. It is FUTURE GRACE by John Piper. We have copies at the resource table this morning. This book has been one of the most influential books, outside the bible of course, in my life. The thing I love about it is the fact that there is 11 pages in the concordance of scripture used. It is saturated with the word of God.

MY TESTIMONY

I was raised in the south eastern portion of the United States which is labelled the “Bible belt.” I have learned not to just say south because people in California relate that to southern California. I grew up knowing all the rules of the bible and the church and striving in my own power to try to keep those rules. Then when I got to college I started learning more and more about the amazing “freeing” grace of God. My reaction was then to say there was no standard of godly living I was to strive for because grace is what saves me. It is not that I said it gave me a right to continue in sin by I thought it meant I didn’t have to fight it as hard. This was an equally bad reaction. I pick up this book and it showed me how the believer is suppose to strive for a godly life in the power of Gods grace. Grace does not replace the fight with our flesh, grace gives us the ability to win that fight. Listen to the beginning of this book: Read page 6 and middle paragraph of page 13

Conclusion:

Beloved, lean on the grace of God. Know that it doesn’t just save you from wrath, it gives you true life in holiness. This is what Paul means when he writes these words in Philippians 2:12-13,

[12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Say and sing with a loud confident voice “Take these hands, and lift them up, for I have not the strength to praise You near enough. For I am nothing, I am nothing, without You.”