September 5 Obedient Example Titus 3:1-3
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” (Titus 3:1-3)
How are we to respond to the challenges of this present day? Are we to be militant in our behavior? Are we to draw a “Line in the Sand” and declare our opposition to the directions of the Authorities? As True and Obedient Believers, we are to, FIRST AND FOREMOST, represent the CAUSE OF CHRIST! In the scripture, for today, Paul is reminding Titus to make sure to REMIND his people (the folks on the Island of Crete) that they are to be “Subject to the Authorities,” and to be “Obedient!”(Notice that it doesn’t say, “If you agree!!”) Keep in mind, this reminder is not about “Blind Loyalty and Mindless Obedience,” it is about representing the CAUSE OF CHRIST to this Lost and Dying Evil World in a positive and edifying manner! We can have our opinions and we can have our political views and we can take issue with the leaders of our Churches, Cities, Counties, States and our Nation, however, as Christians, we are to have, as our NUMBER 1 PRIORITY, our POSITIVE WITNESS for the “GOOD NEWS” of JESUS CHRIST! There are so many voices that are “shouting” and “instructing” us on how we should respond to the circumstances of our present day. On a personal note: I have been accused of not doing my job and I have been instructed that I should create controversy, if necessary, to achieve “Their” stated outcome. Ok, let’s say that I create a controversy over any given issue and because of that “Stink,” I honor those who want to, in their opinion, take a stand for “Right,” and a lost soul sees this and is turned off to the message of the GOOD NEWS? Folks; as True, Born Again, Blood Bought Christians, our responsibility is to live our lives in submission to Christ and we are to represent Christ in every aspect of our lives!! God has a plan! God’s plan IS GOING TO UNFOLD! Our duty, our responsibility is to be OBEDIENT witnesses of the GOOD NEWS and diligently share the NEWS so that we can help as many souls as possible miss HELL! Many of us are living with this world’s activities and controversies as our NUMBER 1 priority, yet, as Christians, our NUMBER ONE PRIORITY MUST BE THE CAUSE AND MESSAGE OF CHRIST! Do we have opinions, do we have political positions; do we see the wrongs of this world? The answer is YES! OUR PRIORITIES MUST BE REPRESENTING CHRIST, FIRST AND FOREMOST! We must live with Jesus Christ, FIRST in our lives and do everything that we can to represent Him! THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME, WE ARE JUST PASSING THROUGH!! I am, through the leading and guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT, I am committed, each day, to represent the CAUSE OF CHRIST and to make this the MISSION and PRIORITY of my OBEDIENT SERVICE TO GOD! Friends, I have opinions, I have political positions, yet, these “EARTHLY” things cannot be the driving force that “RULES” my life! SUBMISSION, OBEDIENCE, WITNESS, PEACE, HUMILITY, STEADFASTNESS… do these words describe your life? What God does with you, depends upon what you do! It Always has; It Always will!! Be sure, be productive and continue to share the Love of God with others and be confident that God’s plan is unfolding! To God Be the Glory! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!