Read with Me
Titus 3:1-2 (HCSB)
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.
Listen with Me
As Paul draws his letter to Titus to a close, he gives a short series of exhortations designed to guide the Cretan Christians in living a life that is as trouble-free and productive as possible.
He begins with the exhortation that they are to be submissive to rulers and authorities. The Roman Empire could at times be oppressive, and even abusive, although at this point it had not sunk to the level of active persecution of Christians as it would in just a few years under the rulership of Nero.
But Paul’s stand, and the stand of the whole Church, was that all Christians should be obedient to the law of the land in which they were living and to respect the governing authorities (Romans 13:1-5). Rebelling against those authorities would produce no positive good, and would open a way for anarchy or lawlessness, and all the negative things that go along with them.
Of course, it was understood by all that if the authorities either commanded something that God forbade, or outlawed something that God commanded, they had to obey God’s commandment instead of man’s law, and be willing to suffer any consequences. Submission to authorities can never be used as justification to disobey God’s clear commands.
The Christians were also to be ready to do every good work. This is not suggesting mere willingness, but an active pursuit of good that could be done to or for others. Those good actions would serve to build up those in the faith, and to open doors to the kingdom for those who were still outside.
Finally, all the Christians were to be speak only good of others, to avoid fighting, and to be kind and gentle in everything that they did. The primary goal for all God’s people was to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20), no matter where they were or what they were doing. And it is clear that being belligerent, boastful, and harsh with others would not facilitate that mission. It would only work against it.
Of course, Paul realized, as did Titus, that none of these attitudes and actions came naturally to people, whether they were Cretans, famed for their crudeness (Titus 1:12-13), or people known to be much nicer. It is only through the reshaping of the heart and mind through a restored relationship with God through faith in Jesus that these characteristics can be consistently manifested. And then they must be nurtured by encouragement and constant practice.
Pray with Me
Father, this is a good reminder for us all. It is so easy to get caught up in daily living, doing our jobs, and even “doing Church”, that we completely forget our mission. And we forget what an important role we have to play in that mission, and how our actions and attitudes impact our ability to accomplish it for good or for bad. Help me, Lord, to keep my real mission always at the front of my mind and the top of my agenda. Amen.