Title: The Believer's Duty as a Citizen
The believer's duty as a citizen
Titus 3:1-2, 210.213.215,
The subject of the text is not the rulers and their attitudes. It is about believers and their duty to the nation. Believers in general have little influence over the conduct of their affairs by state rulers, but can do much over their actions as citizens of a nation.
But God is very clear about the attitude a believer should have. When God gave these messages to the believers in Titus and Crete through Paul, vicious leaders such as Nero were ruling. The text clearly states the six obligations of a Christian as a citizen.
1, A believing citizen must obey the law, that is, the rulers and them (v. 1), a repeated command to “submit and obey”. This means that it is a very strong command. God requires believers to keep this command. Believers must submit to all public authority,
Furthermore, it is necessary to observe not only the laws of the province or country, but also the autonomy laws of the region in which they live. Why is this so important? The reason is obvious. It's so obvious. there is no law When you don't follow the law. This is because society is plunged into great chaos such as:
-.Illegalty will spread. -.No one will be able to safely walk the streets. -.People will have to lock their doors and live. -.People will live in constant threat of slander, violence, murder and war. -.Property will not be safe.
Society or community without law and observance of the law. Bonds between common life and people can never be established. Laws, rulers and state institutions are absolutely necessary to keep the people from becoming beasts in the den of uncontrolled selfishness and lawlessness. Disorder is not God's will for the world.
God's will is a society in which there is law and order. God wants mankind to be a world full of love, joy and peace. He wants to live in a world where there is perfect law and order. Therefore, the believer must be an example.
2, A believing citizen must be willing to do every good deed (v. 1), he must strive and serve for the welfare of all citizens of the community in which he lives, and he must work hard and serve. The word “prepared” means to be willing, prepared, and to be proactive and take the lead in serving the community diligently.
“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that you, having always had enough in all things, abound for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8), “Therefore, knowing that a person can do good, If you do not do it, it is sin” (James 4:17).
3, Believers must not blaspheme anyone (verse 2), and they must not speak evil against anyone. We must not speak slander, insult, or speak badly about anyone in our neighbourhood.
The ideal society God wants is a society in which all citizens strive to develop and enrich the lives of different people, communities, and nations. “He who hides his hatred has lips of lies, and the accuser is a fool” (Proverbs 10:18).
4, Believers should not quarrel (verse 2), Christians should not be quarrelsome and like to argue. A Christian should not be a gossiper looking for things to quarrel or fight on the go. A Christian should not be a self-righteous, arrogant person who says everyone else is wrong.
A Christian should not always be someone who criticizes or goesssips, causes trouble, offends, or creates divisions. “He who is easy on anger stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger makes him stop arguing” (Proverbs 15:18).
“A fool's lips stir up strife, and his mouth demands a rod” (Proverbs 18:6). “Let nothing be done out of strife or vanity, but in lowliness of mind let each one consider others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).
“Make them remember these things, and command them strictly not to quarrel before God. It is of no benefit, but rather destroys those who hear it” (2 Timothy 2:14).
5, A believing citizen must be tolerant (verse 2), and we must not accuse, condemn, slander, ignore or despise others for any reason. We must bring the gospel to the world and share it with them, expecting them with loving tolerance.
We must have a generous heart, without the slightest bit of harshness. But too many of us are callous and critical of others, indifferent and disinterested. Too many of us are trapped in a form of religion that has nothing to do with preaching the gospel to the lost.
What we desperately need today is to share the gospel with people in a spirit of love and tolerance. “If anyone accuses anyone, bear with one another and forgive one another, just as the Lord has forgiven you” (Colossians 3:13).
6, A believing citizen must show meekness toward all people (verse 2), 1) There is humility in meekness. 2) There is strength in meekness. 3) Meekness has strong self-control. A meek person rules his heart and mind. The meek are humble, gentle and strong.
He denies himself by thinking of others as best he can. He is temperate against iniquity and evil, and expresses his righteous anger. The meek forgets himself and lives his life for others because Christ did it for him.
-.God is meek. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). You did.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart. Then you will find rest” (Matthew 11:29).
-. Those who believe must be meek. “Brothers, if a man is found guilty of any transgression, you who are spiritual, in a spirit of meekness correct such a person, and examine yourselves, lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
I pray in the name of the Lord that you will live a life of believers who glorify God in all things through a life of godliness.
Source 3927bible Word Research Institute