Remind People

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 to be gentle toward everyone. ~ Titus 3:1-2

I don’t like to get into political discussions.  At all. In fact, I will leave the room once someone brings them up.  I just feel like the majority of citizens have clothed themselves and placed way too much of their identity in their political beliefs.  We tend to try to destroy someone’s character if they don’t believe just like us.  I have seen families being divided for years because of varying viewpoints.  The fact that families, and longtime friendships can be destroyed based on personal political preferences proves that everyone, followers of Christ included, need to work on the very principles Paul was telling Titus about in the above verses.  I don’t always agree with our government leaders, or even the President of the United States, but I do understand that God has allowed them to be our leaders for some reason, and I need to trust Him…as in God.  I may not always understand, or like the laws of the land, but as a follower of Jesus I am to obey them to help keep some sort of order to the land.  It is not my job to argue the law, it is my job to follow the law and let God judge who, and what He needs to judge when He feels the need to do so.  As followers of Jesus, we need to live in obedience to how God instructs us to live and God will take care of the rest.  Titus was told hundreds of years ago to remind the followers of Jesus how to act and hundreds of years later we still have to be reminded.  We still don’t have it right.  And if I dare say, here in the 21st century, our social fabric and standards are declining at a rapid rate as we become obsessed with ourselves, our own feelings, and our own needs and wants over those of our neighbors.  We have become hardened to the laws of the land; we are disobedient when things don’t go our way; we slander anyone who looks, thinks, or acts differently than us; we drive into our garage and quickly close the door even though we see our neighbors needing help bringing the groceries in; no one holds the door open for the people behind them anymore; and loud, contentious riots in the name of justice are anything but peaceable.  As followers of Jesus, we are to put others first; watch our tongues; be humble and do not quarrel; be obedient; be encouraging, gentle, peaceful and courteous.  Our world notices our attitudes and actions and they are watching.  Dare to be different. ~ Amen