Adorning the Gospel - Titus 2:10

"....but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior."

Titus 2:10 (ESV)

This week I was posed a very difficult question. One I doubt many of us really want to think about or ask ourselves. One I know I didn't want to ask myself. 

"If someone was to evaluate your life, what would they see? Would it be love? Would it be joy?" 

Would it be love? Would it be joy? What about peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23)? If someone looked at me, would they really see the fruit of the Spirit, or would they see the yucky works of the flesh? I'm sure I don't need to tell you twice if you have spent any time around me that I don't always display the fruit of the Spirit. And I wouldn't say that the first word a person would use to describe me would be love or joy. I can show Christ's love and I can have the joy of the Lord, but most of the time I allow other things to dirty the vessel God is trying to use. 
This week when I came across Titus 2:10, I was reminded of the importance of my place in bringing the Gospel to all nations. I am supposed to "adorn" the Gospel. Or in other words, I am supposed to live my life in a way that makes the most beautiful thing that has ever existed shine even more beautifully to those around me. That is not something to be taken lightly! How can I do this if I don't show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? How can I do this if when people look at me the works of the flesh cloud the work God has done in my life? 
This solution is simple. I am a work in progress and I always will be, but the only way that I can continue to grow in my walk with Christ is to be in communion with him always. I need to be in the Word. I need to be reminded of the fruit of the Spirit. I need to confess when I have fallen short. I need to pray without ceasing. I need to know him more so I know how to be more like him. The more I am in communion with the Maker of the doctrine, the more easily he can shape me to adorn it.