Remind the People

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."
Titus 3:1-7

In this letter Paul instructs Titus with direction that I think is good for all of us. To remind people to be respectful to authorities, obedient, ready to do whatever is good, not be slanderous, be peaceable and considerate, and humble in all situations-towards everyone. He charges Titus with these instructions that he is the one that should be reminding people to do so. The thing that is so hard for me to grasp in this, is the concept that--in order to do such a thing, that would mean that Titus would have to be living in such a way that reminds people to do so-not just in words, but in action.

And with that comes a great conviction in my heart of- am I living in such a way that would remind people to do those things? The first step being, am I even living in a way that I myself do these things? Am I really ready to do whatever is good-if the good thing isn’t what the norm is? It’s easy to do what is good when you’re surrounded by good people, but what about in the areas of your life where good doesn’t prevail? Do I slander no one-or like many a person I know is how I talk about people and situations no different than the person next to me who doesn’t know Jesus? Is peace a characteristic that marks my life? Am I truly considerate of everyone around me or just the people that I feel are worthy of consideration? And, if I somehow managed to do all these things perfectly-would I be able to do so with humility towards all men, not looking down on anyone? And if I actually do all of that, do I remind the people?

The mantle that is placed on Titus through this is overwhelming. Because Paul isn’t asking him to do these things, he’s asking him to remind people to do these things—demanding, that Titus himself has the character of one that would implore that.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

And that’s where it changes for all of us who know God. That’s where any excuse we have of not fostering this in every relationship we have or applying it in our own lives, flies out the window. We don’t have any excuse to not have this be how we live our lives. We have been bought at a price, washed clean and renewed. And in doing so we are justified and forgiven, redeemed, being charged with this very same mantle to
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
That’s our responsibility. How we carry out our daily lives should be in such a way that it does this, with no words necessarily having to be spoken. In understanding that and in knowing that we have the capability to do so, brings great conviction.