Given the current state of events in our country, yesterday’s reading from Titus 3 was particularly timely. Verses 1-2 say:
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. (Titus 3:1-2)
This is just but one example in Scripture admonishing us to obey our government and its leaders.
This does not mean that we should act immorally if our government asks us to do something that violates God’s moral standards.
In Acts 4, the disciples tell the Jewish religious leaders, who had commanded them to stop preaching about Jesus, that they must obey God rather than men.
But if the government creates a law that is not in violation of God’s moral law, then there is no basis for us to ignore it.
For example, speed limits do not violate any moral law of God, so therefore, we have no reason to violate the posted speed.
In our highly polarized, fractious culture, may we heed Paul’s admonition “to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”
Reflection
What are some laws that you find easy to dismiss?
Which of Paul’s 5 admonishments do you find easiest to follow and which are most difficult?
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- be obedient
- be ready to do whatever is good
- slander no one
- be peaceable and considerate
- show true humility toward all
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The Lowedown 