Skip to main content

What Paul Told Titus


As the issues surrounding the pandemic continue to swirl, we find ourselves enduring even more “mandates” to accommodate. The latest for most States, is the mandate, to wear a face covering or mask pretty much everywhere we go.

Despite the motives, intent, and reasoning behind such requirements, it is safe to say that it provokes hard feelings and churns strong emotions. It is easy to get mad. It is easier to stew on it and stay mad. Complaining, slandering and talking ill of our governing authorities and pastors seems to be justified and acceptable. Well, it is not.

That is exactly what the Apostle Paul taught to Titus when he assigned him to the Island of Crete. These instructions were written in a letter that we know as the New Testament book of “Titus.” This letter outlines all the instructions, rules, and regulations that Paul wanted Titus to teach and use to give direction and guidance to the Churches being established across the island of Crete.

One of those instructions came in Chapter 3:1-2 regarding governing authorities and our actions as Christians. He wrote, “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”

What Paul was saying that in being “subject to” those in authority, we were voluntarily submitting to their position of leadership. It wasn’t permission to act like it was a painful and “grudging surrender,” but a willful choice of obedience because we know, as Christians, that our ultimate authority is God, Himself.

So….let’s break each word down on what Paul instructed Titus:

 

·         Obedient: Greek verb implies general conformity to the regulations of the civil authorities. It is the visible demonstration that we have mastered the attitude of submission.

 

·         Ready to do what is good: Being “ready” indicates that we are not to be passive bystanders. We should be actively involved in promoting things that uphold the general welfare of our city.

 

·         Slander: we should never curse someone nor use angry or demeaning words directed at or about someone. This includes refusing to spread rumors or gossip about anyone to anyone. 1 Peter 2:23, “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”

 

·         Quarreling: We are to be peacemakers that despite disagreements and differences, we must not be agitators and incite arguing and verbal fights.

 

·         Gentle/True Humility: We should work to preserve the peace and work towards equitable solutions in all issues. Looking out for the interest of others. We resist being self-assertive or harsh when “our way” is challenged or rejected. Everyone: It is “true” humility when we can prove the genuineness of Christianity by being kind, gentle and respectful to those who are hostile, perverse, and degrading towards us.

 

APPLICATION:  We must be prepared and willing to live peacefully under the laws and leadership of our governing authorities. We have many categories. This includes not only the local Church and her governing Denomination, but Federal, State, County, and City authorities, ordinances, laws and regulations as well.

As Christians, we choose to obey and live peacefully under the law, rules, and regulations that promote healthy and safe communities. We also participate in activities that promote the welfare of the community we live and the ministries and outreach of the church where we are members.

Christians must not turn their backs, stand coldly indifferent, or withdraw from “praiseworthy enterprises” of government and church, but show good public spirit, thus proving by tangible and visible means that Christianity is a constructive force in society.

 

 

So, Paul was teaching Titus that the most “visible demonstration” of Christianity, God’s love and the reality of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, was for Christians to be holy, godly and upstanding people within their Church and Communities.

 

What does that look like today? We respect those in authority over us whether that is in our family, church, town, county, state or Federal levels of government. We pray for them daily and often. We uphold and obey the laws that govern us so that we have a safe, peaceful and healthy community and Church family.

 

We abide by those things that promote such a Church and community. Yes, that can mean wearing that mask! It also means we pay our taxes and obey even the smaller laws such as speed limits, road signs, and city ordinances. We also obey our church denominational leaders and pastors, deacons, bishops and teachers.

 

It also means that we resist the urge to criticize, mock and say ugly things about all leaders such as the President, our Governors, Senators, Mayors and Church Pastors. We continue to do these things and go about living our lives in a loving and visible example of Jesus Christ. That is exactly what Paul told Titus!

 

Just remember….Romans 13:1-5, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.”

Popular posts from this blog

Learn from Lydia

  There are a lot of interesting mentions of women in the Bible. Whether it is the Old Testament or New Testament, there are many strong, yet oddly missed, lessons from women that we can familiarize ourselves with to strengthen our faith.   One such woman is named Lydia. She provides a very powerful lesson for us. We find one particular mention of her in the book of Acts. Acts 16:14 , says that Lydia “reverenced God, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying.”   Lydia is actually a significant person in the New Testament. She is described as “a dealer in purple goods” (Acts 16:14). Pointing that out is quite a clue. Dealing in “purple goods” was considered a luxury in the ancient world.   It is probably safe to say that she was both a woman of great financial means and able to deal successfully with the influential people of her time. She was also noted as having a great gift of persuasion.   I think she might have been the only perso...

Tetelestai!

Just before Jesus gives up His spirit on the cross, He utters a very powerful word. The word that He cries out is “ tetelestai” (tih-tellis-tie). When literally translated, this word means, “It is finished.” It can also refer to something completed or accomplished. The word occurs in  John 19:28  and 19:30 and these are the only two places in all of the New Testament where it is found. In the John19:28 passage, it is translated, “After this, when Jesus knew that all things were now  completed , in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, he said, ‘I thirst.’” Two verses later, he utters the word himself: “Then when he received the sour wine Jesus said, ‘ It is finished ,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”   Did you know that the word  tetelestai  was also written on business documents or receipts in New Testament times to show indicating that a bill had been paid in full? The Greek-English lexicon (by Moulton and Milligan) sa...

Asking "What" Instead of "Why"

Life is not easy and it is not void of struggle, challenges, pain, sorrow, loss, grief, and suffering. I am sure I can come up with more words than that, but this article would soon blossom to two to three pages in length. I am sure we are familiar with the trials and frustrations of Job in the Old Testament. Some of us might even be familiar with the words of Habakuk in 1:2 , “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” When things don’t go well or something tragic or unfortunate befalls us, we are faced with the struggles of crying out to God, “why me?” “Why, God, did you let this happen?” Many times, we too, grow frustrated and angry at God, for how He chooses to work within our situations and circumstances. We sure do end up asking God a lot of “why” questions. I believe “why” could be the wrong word to be using. Asking “why” seems to imply a lack of faith, ungratefulness, and, somehow, that we think God owes us an explanation, an answer or reaso...