It Starts Small

3 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. 

Titus 3:1-2

Remind them 

Titus was the passionate overseer of the churches on Crete. He tirelessly urged the believers to embrace a Christlike life. This journey cannot be accomplished in a single moment. It is akin to the ongoing ritual of taking a refreshing shower. It resembles the mundane task of washing dishes. These tasks are never truly finished and always require our diligent attention. Scripture’s truth often doesn’t bring new revelations. Instead, it powerfully reminds us of the wisdom we’ve received before. God, in His infinite grace,

Christian leaders must passionately remind the flock, time and time again, of how to truly live and follow Christ. While some preachers may feel compelled to present fresh perspectives or novel insights with every sermon, this isn’t essential. In truth, much of the preacher’s role is to invigorate and reinforce the vital truths that the flock already knows. The preacher encourages them to embrace and live out these foundational teachings with fervor and conviction.

Each of us desperately needs those powerful reminders. We need uplifting encouragement to relentlessly forge ahead in our journeys with Christ. The world’s influence can be overwhelmingly strong! The remainder of this chapter is packed with practical wisdom and hands-on applications. The book of Titus passionately emphasizes the essential qualities of a vibrant, mature church. To cultivate a thriving church community, we must possess mature individual believers who are committed to growth. True maturity isn’t merely about amassing knowledge; it’s about wholeheartedly obeying and living out what we already understand!

submit to rulers and authorities

The first reminder Titus was to give was to be subject to authorities.

The sin of rebellion

It is an undeniable struggle to be under the weight of authority. Throughout our lives, we encounter a myriad of authorities—parents, teachers, bosses, and governments—each demanding our submission. Our very nature rebels against the will of others; resistance courses through our veins. The first sin in history was born from this very rebellion against authority. Consider Satan, once a magnificent being in the glorious heights of heaven. Powerful, beautiful, and astute, he possessed every blessing life could offer. Yet, it was not enough for him. His insatiable thirst for power ignited a fierce desire to seize control, propelling him into darkness.

The second recorded sin pulsated with a fervent rebellion against authority. Adam and Eve, in their moment of defiance, dared to disobey God’s solemn command in the garden. With cunning words, Satan preyed on Eve’s heart, whispering that God unjustly shackled their freedom. They took a bite of the forbidden fruit. It was the very fruit God had warned them against. By doing so, they boldly cast aside divine authority. They claimed their independence from the Creator. How utterly astonishing, yet tragic, it is to boldly declare one’s independence from the very source of existence!

From that moment to this very day, humanity has stood defiantly against authority! It’s not just the “unfair” rulers we rise up against; we challenge any force that seeks to govern our spirits! This inherent rebellion is woven into the fabric of our very nature. It stands as a testament to our relentless quest for freedom and self-determination!

Submission requires doing things we don’t like

Sometimes it can feel exhilarating to obey authorities, while at other times it feels like an insurmountable challenge. Consider the joy that a child feels when a mother gives him a crisp 100 dollars. She encourages him to indulge in something special. That gleeful compliance is a heartwarming sight. Yet, when she changes her tone, she demands that he stop having fun. She insists he tackle his homework instead. The spark of delight often dims. It is replaced by a sullen resistance.

Submission often demands us to embrace tasks we’d rather avoid. It’s not about cherry-picking the verses in the Bible that resonate with us while conveniently ignoring the rest. True submission requires us to joyfully obey the things we might loathe. We might believe we could accomplish them more effectively. We might even oppose them outright. Some justify their reluctance by claiming that their authority is unreasonable. They argue that figures such as the government, boss, or teacher are unworthy of their compliance.

All authorities are established by God

But in truth, every authority is established by God! They may not be flawless, yet each serves a vital purpose. The Cretans lived under the Roman government’s dominion. Was that a righteous regime? Absolutely not—it was pagan, corrupt, and insatiably greedy for power. It accepted slavery, entertained gladiators for the sake of spectacle, and was occasionally dominated by moral depravity. Yet, even so, Paul urged the people to submit to authority! No government is without its flaws, but we have a divine mandate to obey. We must only oppose tyranny when it compels us to sin. We must stand resolutely by the principle of obeying “God rather than man.”

Be ready for every good deed

Two electrifying words burst forth from that sentence: “ready.” Engaging in acts of kindness is anything but a simple coincidence; it demands bold, intentional action. Our very essence often battles this instinct, choosing instead the easy, complacent, or self-serving route. To be truly ready calls for an enthusiastic eagerness and swift resolve to lend a hand. We must actively seek out chances to uplift others. When those golden opportunities arise, we must seize them with fervor. Approach them with determination!

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

God has intricately prepared a myriad of good deeds for us to embrace! We must embark on this journey with our eyes wide open. Our minds must be alert. We should be ever-ready to seize these divine opportunities that surround us. Let us be vigilant, observing the situations unfolding around us. Perhaps there are delightful good deeds that ignite our spirits. They could include playing an instrument in the worship team. We can shower our wives or husbands with thoughtful gifts. We could joyfully engage with our children.

And yes, there may also be those tasks we resist. These tasks include tackling the dishes, laundry, scrubbing the bathroom, putting out the trash, and extending hospitality to the ungrateful. Even sending messages, emails, or making phone calls to check in on our brothers and sisters can feel burdensome. Yet, we must resist the temptation to cherry-pick our good deeds. We cannot choose which authorities to obey or when to obey them. We are called to undertake every good deed God has lined up for us. We should not focus only on the ones that spark our joy!

to slander no one

Let us be on guard against every form of gossip. We must also be careful not to speak evil of others. Even when we are alone with our spouse in our room, we should maintain kindness.

¹⁴ Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.

Hebrews 12:14-15

Nurturing bitterness in our hearts is not just spiritually detrimental. It breeds a harvest of toxic “fruits” that inevitably bubble to the surface. These toxins poison our very essence with every ounce of hostility unleashed.

to avoid fighting, and to be kind,

What triggers you to lose your cool?

Many things can cause us to get frustrated and shorten our fuse. Here are a few:

• Endless, grueling hours that stretch on forever
• The relentless torment of sleepless nights
• The unbearable irritation of obnoxious individuals
• Frustrating obstacles that disrupt our lives
• The sting of rudeness and the exploitation by others
• The unmistakable injustice in how we are treated

As someone once proclaimed, “it takes two to tango!” While we can’t dictate how others act, we hold the power to govern our own actions. Oh, how often our own pride leads us down a tumultuous path! Let’s not forget the profound example set by Christ, who, despite being wrongfully accused, chose silence instead of retaliation. When we elevate ourselves in our thoughts, every slight becomes a mountain, compelling us to react fiercely. Yet, when we embrace the humility of Jesus, we uncover a startling truth. The so-called rights we cling to are mere illusions and not true rights at all.

A gentle answer turns away anger,
but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

Proverbs 15:1

showing gentleness to all people

Wow, this is an incredible standard to strive for! To be perfectly courteous to everyone, always! Titus passionately emphasizes to the church the importance of our testimony in society. As believers, we are called to show kindness not just to those who merit it or treat us well. We must also extend our grace to those who seem undeserving. Jesus challenges us by saying that if we only love those who reciprocate, we are merely mirroring the world. He beckons us to love fiercely and to be gracious, even to those who mistreat us.

In this verse, every excuse we may have for our rude behavior is stripped away. We have no room for retreat. It doesn’t matter how others act; we are summoned to rise above and meet a glorious higher standard. We are called to respond with an overflowing grace that radiates hope and love. Our attitude in society is powerful. It can draw souls toward Jesus. Alternatively, it can push them away from His embrace. When wronged by others, we are gifted with an incredible opportunity to embody the transformative love and forgiveness of Christ. This testimony, bursting with authenticity, can echo louder than a thousand words!

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Cross-References

• Romans 12:18
• 1 Peter 2:13-15
• Romans 13:1-3

Discussion Questions

• Who is the “them” in verse 1?
• What does it mean to “be subject”?
• Who would classify as rulers or authorities?
• Which authorities do you have the most challenging time submitting to? Why? What if the leaders are not Christian? What if you disagree?
• How can you be “ready for every good deed?” What does this imply about how we should approach each day?
• What can we do to be peaceable with others? What if someone just wants to fight?
• What is the significance of the adjective “all” in “all men”? How can we show consideration for all men?

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