Titus IV
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. (Titus 3:1-3 ESV)
to be obedient
Our society has elevated the rebel (with or without a cause) to a high position. We smile at the independent, disobedient toddler. We cheer on the television character who fights against ‘the man.’ We admire the finger-gesturing speeder who evades a traffic cop. We turn rebels into heroes, disobedience into nobility, and self-rule into a desirable status.
But we are not our own masters.
We serve Christ… our King… and He notices our disobedience.
In fact, He died because of it.
In fact, He purchased our forgiveness that our disobedience causes.
In fact, Paul’s reminder to be obedient… maybe even to be KNOWN in our culture as obedient… should not need to be said.
Obedience does not lead to salvation. But Christian’s obedience stems FROM our salvation.
We obey to show we love the Law giver. But we also obey because He has loved us.
It is not a restraint. We get to do what He made us to do.