It doesn’t take much to notice how short our fuses have gotten. We see it in a slow checkout line, in the driver who cuts us off, and in a social media comment section that turns ugly in about three replies. Being kind to people we don’t know has started to feel like the exception instead of the rule.
As believers, we actually hold two citizenships. We belong to the community and the country we live in, and we belong first to God and His kingdom. The first one is meant to reflect the second. When we’re the salt and light of the world Jesus talked about, people should be able to see heaven in how we live down here. Jesus even taught us to pray for it: “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Paul wrote a short reminder about exactly this to a young pastor named Titus.
Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous.
Titus 3:1-2 (The Message)
Seven Reminders in Titus 3:1-2 That Set Us Apart
In Titus 3:1-2, the Apostle Paul gives us a scriptural view of our citizenship. He instructs and reminds believers that we need to be exemplary role models in our daily civil affairs, in government, and in society.
Paul gives Titus a list of seven reminders that will set us apart in our communities. Remind God’s people that we are to:
- Be respectful.
- Be law-abiding.
- Be ready to serve others and lend a helping hand.
- Speak with peace, with no insults.
- Refuse to fight, with no verbal abuse or hostility.
- Be bighearted and generous.
- Be courteous, showing a thoughtful, kind, and humble attitude toward others.
Walk the Talk This Week
This week, let’s accept Paul’s reminder to Titus to be different in our communities.
Let’s walk the talk of a transformed life. Let’s be a visible reminder, a light-bearer that shines and displays Jesus Christ in all that we think, do, and say. And let’s be generous examples with our lives.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
When we do, Jesus says others will take notice. Our example and our lives will prompt others to open up to God’s mercy, grace, and salvation.
If this one speaks to you, our devotional on Truth and Love is about the same thing: what we say on Sunday being who we are on Tuesday. You can browse the whole collection at the Farm Sunday hub.
Have a BombDiggity Farm Sunday, friends!
Written by
Lane and Jules Morris
Authors and University of Tennessee faculty writing from our farm in East Tennessee about gardening, the farm kitchen, faith and designing a flourishing life at any age. More about us
