August 27, 2010

Titus 3:1-15 (Good News Translation)

Embodying Hope and Encouraging Others in Faith

Introduction

Titus 3:1-15: The author tells Titus to remind people to obey the authorities. As in other Pauline letters, the intention was to keep followers of Christ from causing trouble for Roman authorities. If they did cause trouble, the authorities might intervene in their gatherings and their work to spread the Gospel. The letter concludes with a number of personal greetings.

Today’s Scripture: Titus 3:1

Remind your people to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey them, and to be ready to do good in every way.

Today’s Reading

¹Remind your people to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey them, and to be ready to do good in every way. ²Tell them not to speak evil of anyone, but to be peaceful and friendly, and always to show a gentle attitude toward everyone. ³For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them. ⁴But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed, ⁵he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us. ⁶God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for. ⁸This is a true saying. I want you to give special emphasis to these matters, so that those who believe in God may be concerned with giving their time to doing good deeds, which are good and useful for everyone. ⁹But avoid stupid arguments, long lists of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless. ¹⁰Give at least two warnings to those who cause divisions, and then have nothing more to do with them. ¹¹You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong. ¹²When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos to get started on their travels, and see to it that they have everything they need. ¹⁴Our people must learn to spend their time doing good, in order to provide for real needs; they should not live useless lives. ¹⁵All who are with me send you greetings. Give our greetings to our friends in the faith. God's grace be with you all.

Reflect

Why was Titus instructed to remind the people in his care to obey the government rulers and authorities? What might have been the consequences if they were rebellious? What do you think of this advice? Compare Titus 3:1 to Acts 5:27-29. What do you make of the difference between these passages?

Pray

Ruler of all creation help me discern how to be both a good citizen of my community and a good citizen of the community of faith. In all my civic actions, let me seek your justice and peace. Amen.

Prayer Concern

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