Titus Tell ‘Em: Do Good Already

“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.” (Titus 3:1-2)

Titus was a missionary and pastor on the island of Crete. It’s a gorgeous looking place, judging by the pictures I’ve seen online. It’s a big, sunny Greek island with beautiful beaches and rocky cliffs and mountains that get snow in the winter.

crete_350Apparently, it was also a hard place to be a Christian. Even Paul confirmed the reputation of the culture there: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” He wanted the Cretan Christians to stand out for being the opposite of that—to live like they really believed God’s Word is true.

Today’s verses bullet-point some action items for all Christians, including us non-Cretans: Obey authorities, don’t talk mean about people, think of others, make peace, don’t make it all about you—no matter who you’re talking to.

Come back this week to find out why it matters how we live.

Think: How would you stand apart from your friends or peers if you lived the way these two verses describe? Would people think you strange if you were obedient and respectful to authorities? Why or why not?

Pray: Ask God to help you 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.”

Do: Go to Crete, and lay on a beach while you really think about this book. Or read a little about the biblical history of the island. Whichever works better for you.

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