Wow, what a year! We have seen political chaos. We have seen a pandemic. We have been in quarantine for months rather than weeks. Unemployment went from non-existent to an unbelievably high number. Now, to top everything off, we see a man murdered by a thoughtless officer. We have seen legitimate and needed protests. We have seen illegitimate and unneeded riots and looting. We have seen a sad lack of political integrity as the political cycle ramps up. And it’s only the beginning of June.
There is a passage in the New Testament that seems very much written for today. I encourage you to read all of Titus 3:1-11, but I will only address a few key verses here. I am assuming most of you reading this article are believers, so this passage is addressing you. Yes you, not that other person. I have seen Christians be very good at responding to all that is going on and too many Christians whose responses have embarrassed me and caused shame to the gospel of Christ. So yes, I am speaking to you, not that other person.
As Christians, we have a responsibility and a command to submit to our government. Not a political ideology, but the government. Look at Titus 3:1–2 (NLT) — 1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
Think about what that passage is saying.
Submit to the government: Be respectful to those in authority. You don’t have to always agree with them, but you do need to be respectful towards them. They may act wrongly, and peaceful protests are called for; however, you can be respectful even in protest of wrong actions by the government.
Don’t slander anyone: Why would Paul even need to say that to Christians? We would NEVER do that! (please note the heavy sarcasm of that statement). Just like then, we need to be careful how we talk about people, even people with whom we disagree vehemently. It doesn’t matter about the color of their skin, which neighborhood they live in, their politics or religious practice. We should never slander other people. If we could just practice that one thing as Americans and Christians, this nation would be a much better place. But this passage doesn’t stop there.
Avoid quarreling and be gentle: I have some dear friends I disagree with on many issues, but we both love each other and talk with gentleness and love towards each other. That keeps us from getting into nasty fights even when we really disagree with the other person.
Show true humility to everyone: We live in a “me first” world today; A “selfie society”. It feels like we are LOOKING to be offended by others. My opinion is the only one that matters. Let’s change that by listening to other people. Put yourself in their position and feel their frustration, pain, and care about them. Let their voice be heard along with your own. Don’t “fake it till you make it”, practice TRUE gentleness.
Most of the rest of this passage is dealing how Christ can put this spirit in your heart and that we need to devote ourselves to doing good. In other words, focus on what really matters and do something about it.
In verse 9-11 there are a couple of pieces of great advice. They are in a religious context, but we can easily apply them to our present situation in America. 1. Don’t get involved in foolish discussions. 2. Have nothing to do with people who persist in pushing those discussions. Snooze those people on Facebook; ignore your Twitter for while or unfollow the offending people and organizations. Tell your church friends (nicely) to stop it when they start to rant about things that only hurt and don’t build others up.
The Bible is full of passages like this one. It isn’t irrelevant in the least. What makes it irrelevant is when we Christians don’t practice it like we should. Now you know how to respond. Go out and actually respond as God demands you should.
Jim Dillinger
Rochester church of Christ.