Titus 3:1-2: Remember Your Duty

Titus 3:1-2.. "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people."

Question: what is your duty as a Christian? Many of us would immediately answer this quesiton with something like "obedience!" or "fearing God!" Though these answers are certainly true, what does that actually look like? Let us dive into the first verses of Titus to find out.

Firstly, we have a duty as Christians to be submissive to those in authority. This is a concept that we see throughout the entirety of the Bible, but it is also a concept that we often reject. Some Christians attempt to argue that we have the "right" to rebel, complain against, and disrespect authority when it becomes tyrannical. However, this is contrary to scripture (if you disagree or would like to hear further evidence for this claim, see the "Resources" tab where I have posted the paper "A Christian's Response to Tyranny"). Therefore, we must be submissive and "line ourselves under" any authority in which God places above us, no matter if we agree with them or not.

Secondly, we have a duty as Christians to be obedient to God. However, what does "obedience" look like? Paul tells us in the end of verse one: "to be ready for every good work." Obedience is not waiting for God to "show you the way," its eagerly doing good works for you in the process of waiting. Obedience doesn't wait for God, obedience is pro-active. Obedience says "God, what can I do for you today?" and when if it doesn't receive an answer, it does justice, loves mercy, and humbly walks with God (Micah 6:8) in the waiting.

Lastly, we have a duty as Christians to show courtesy to all people. This comes from not speaking evil of them and avoiding quarreling. This includes all aspects of gossip, slander, or malice. When's the last time you spoke evil of someone? In other words, when's the last time you wished evil on someone? For me, it was probably yesterday. This ought not to be so amoung us. Rather, we ought to "be gentle" and "show courtesy." Even to those we don't like, we have a Christian duty to love (Matthew 5:44). We ought to be gentle and courteous with all.

So, has the Lord revealed to you a new part of your duty in this devotional today? Are you aware of something that you ought to do that you never knew that you should be doing? If so, go and do it, as you "devote yourself to good works" (Titus 3:8).