Actions to Authority
Titus 3:1-2 (NIV)
"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 be gentle toward everyone."
There has been a lot of big issues in the past few years. Republicans calling Democrats socialists for wanting universal healthcare. Riots over perceived injustices. Destruction of public and private property. School shootings, natural disasters, and all kinds of scandals in the news. People attacking our president and elected officials. Teachers deciding to not go to work over insurance costs and wanting pay raises. A lot of selfish and destructive actions. People in the church partaking and rationalizing.
In the United States we are fortunate enough to elect our leaders. At the time this was written the people in most circumstances did not have that luxury. Many people around the world today still do not. But, here we are told to be subject to our rulers and authorities. Respect what the leaders decide and humbly do as we are told. I look at this as a chain of authorities, first obedience to God and than those who have earthly authority. If the authorities are telling you to commit adultery, theft, homosexuality etcetera, I believe that you have to be obedient to the ultimate authority, God, first and foremost. Rioting, looting, destroying property, and murder is breaking all lines of authority - God, federal, state, and local.
At the same time we know we are to be ready to do whatever is good. Not "good" as in good for us in a selfish way. But as in if we see someone in need, be ready to help them. Be prepared to accomplish the good deeds that God sets before us. We have been able to see people take action and ready to do what is good when natural disasters strike. Flooding clean up, tsunami clean up, hurricane clean up and so forth. But, then we see things like teachers and public employees refusing to go to work for selfish reasons, greedy reasons. I know that everyone wants a raise and wants to minimize insurance costs while maximizing benefits. I get that, but as Christians we are called to be content and rely on the Lord. We are to be ready to do what is good, not deny the children opportunities like after school christian programs.
Then we are told to slander no one. Talk bad about no one, the people you work with, your boss, the person who cut you off today, politicians, NO ONE. To be peaceable and considerate, consider others point of views and how they see the situation. So not bicker and fight over difference of opinions, try to be considerate and understanding. Know that you can disagree peaceably. And towards everyone be gentle, be kind, be caring, be nice to everyone. You may just change someones opinion of Christ. You may be the one working the ground so that when the seed is sown it will grow and produce fruit.
Challenge: Examine your attitude towards the authorities in your life. Then examine your speech and make sure you are not, "talking bad about," slandering anyone. Also examine your actions and remember to be gentle, kind to those around you.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NIV)
"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 be gentle toward everyone."
There has been a lot of big issues in the past few years. Republicans calling Democrats socialists for wanting universal healthcare. Riots over perceived injustices. Destruction of public and private property. School shootings, natural disasters, and all kinds of scandals in the news. People attacking our president and elected officials. Teachers deciding to not go to work over insurance costs and wanting pay raises. A lot of selfish and destructive actions. People in the church partaking and rationalizing.
In the United States we are fortunate enough to elect our leaders. At the time this was written the people in most circumstances did not have that luxury. Many people around the world today still do not. But, here we are told to be subject to our rulers and authorities. Respect what the leaders decide and humbly do as we are told. I look at this as a chain of authorities, first obedience to God and than those who have earthly authority. If the authorities are telling you to commit adultery, theft, homosexuality etcetera, I believe that you have to be obedient to the ultimate authority, God, first and foremost. Rioting, looting, destroying property, and murder is breaking all lines of authority - God, federal, state, and local.
At the same time we know we are to be ready to do whatever is good. Not "good" as in good for us in a selfish way. But as in if we see someone in need, be ready to help them. Be prepared to accomplish the good deeds that God sets before us. We have been able to see people take action and ready to do what is good when natural disasters strike. Flooding clean up, tsunami clean up, hurricane clean up and so forth. But, then we see things like teachers and public employees refusing to go to work for selfish reasons, greedy reasons. I know that everyone wants a raise and wants to minimize insurance costs while maximizing benefits. I get that, but as Christians we are called to be content and rely on the Lord. We are to be ready to do what is good, not deny the children opportunities like after school christian programs.
Then we are told to slander no one. Talk bad about no one, the people you work with, your boss, the person who cut you off today, politicians, NO ONE. To be peaceable and considerate, consider others point of views and how they see the situation. So not bicker and fight over difference of opinions, try to be considerate and understanding. Know that you can disagree peaceably. And towards everyone be gentle, be kind, be caring, be nice to everyone. You may just change someones opinion of Christ. You may be the one working the ground so that when the seed is sown it will grow and produce fruit.
Challenge: Examine your attitude towards the authorities in your life. Then examine your speech and make sure you are not, "talking bad about," slandering anyone. Also examine your actions and remember to be gentle, kind to those around you.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NIV)
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