Titus Chapter 3
By Pastor Neil
Do What Is Good!
In this short letter to Titus, Paul has some very helpful things to say. In chapter 3, he has some wonderful advice for all of us. Right at the start of the chapter he says, “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 to show true humility toward all men.” I like those words. Do you sometimes feel, as I do, that we are living in a time when so much disrespect is directed toward leaders and politicians that you get a little tired of it all? Well, let me be truthful, as my father would have said, “I’m fed up with it all”. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that because someone is elected President or Senator or Congressman/woman or Governor that it is ok to just say whatever you feel like saying about them just to make a political point. Something about the contemptuous ways that politicians now talk about each other. The strident dialogue among not only the politicians but also the “party faithful” seems to me to be so incongruous with the spirit of Paul’s writings here.
I think I’d like to remind us all today that we can engage in lively dialogue and debate but we can do it without the meanness and anger. And so I’m joining with Paul today to “remind the people” about several things. We can be “subject to rulers” even when we disagree. Frankly there likely isn’t a single politician with whom I would agree completely. But even when I disagree with them, I can be respectful and kind. Slanderous talk is not going to make our country great. Attributing intent to leaders when we don’t know for “absolute sure” what we are talking about does not help us go forward, either as Christians or as citizens. I think I’d like to take a step back, along with thoughtful Christians everywhere, and think about how the conversation should be carried on.
Paul suggests that we be peaceable. That’s a great starting place. I can do that at home, in my work place, among friends, or anywhere I am. I can be a peaceable person. I can be “considerate” of people. What a great message that would be for everyone around me. If I just put myself in other people’s shoes and consider their needs I think I can begin to be considerate, as Paul suggests. And, finally, I think I can work on showing true humility toward all men. I think that this begins by not being so sure that I really do know everything that I am asserting. I probably do have a few self-serving aspects of my life that need attention. When I say something like “This must be the will of the Lord since it seems so right to me”, I need to take a second look with the Holy Spirit looking over my shoulder to make sure of what I am saying. Once I am confident that I’m not as certain of my own ability to see all, speak all, know all, I’ll be more ready to hear the voice of God through the Spirit.
It is true of us that we are anxious to make our homes and our church and our world more Christ like. But it is also true that “how” we go about all of this is also important. That is Paul’s message to Titus and to us. Lord, give me “true humility toward all men”.
