Improving Your Traction

Titus 3:1-2

Evan a little loose gravel or sand, water, snow or ice can reduce the friction between tires and the road surface. This increases the danger of losing control and having a wreck. As a result, road maintenance crews scrape off or apply salt to icy or snow packed roads and send street sweepers to remove loose gravel or sand. Roads are constructed to drain away standing water.

There are certain attitudes that can cause us to wreck our Christian testimony. Every Christian is subject to human government at various levels. The attitude we exhibit toward others has a tremendous impact on how effectively we witness. Not only is Titus to insist that certain practices and behaviors be avoided, but they are to have an attitude of respect for others, regardless of their authority.

Many consider that since they serve God, they are not subject to the same rules as other people. They have attitudes much like that of some diplomatic personnel, that they should be free to do as they please. Such attitudes by the diplomatic corps loses the respect of the host country. We are Christ’s ambassadors and while our citizenship is in heaven, we ought to obey our host country’s laws while here. We ought also treat her citizens with the respect due our hosts.

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.” (Titus 3:1-2)

Paul instructs Titus to constantly remind and encourage the believers in the churches to submit to the local authorities. Peter instructs the Christians to have the same attitude in I Peter 2:13-17.

“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”

We are not to use our citizenship in heaven as a way to get out of doing what is right here. We are not to use our religious beliefs to excuse wrong doing or to escape valid responsibilities. We are to treat our leaders with due respect, not run them down, even though they make serious errors. Romans 13:1-7 goes into even more detail.

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

We need to recognize that political are in that position because God saw fit to put them there. While we may not approve what they do, they are acting as God’s representatives to accomplish his plan. Rebelling against them is rebellion against God. There are legal and proper ways to resolve most problems. We also have the promise that God will resolve our political problems if we will get our relationship with him right. II Chronicles 7:14 promises, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Many times God sent problems on Israel to force them to turn to him. Sometimes the things we dislike are for the same purpose. Civil disobedience seldom results in godly results. Most revolutions result in worse conditions than the original ones.

Jesus is often described as a rebel. I Samuel 15:23a states, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” He was not a rebel because as we find in I Peter 2:21-22, he didn’t sin. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.”

In fact, when Peter was asked about whether Jesus paid taxes, Jesus instructed him to catch a fish and take the money he found in it’s mouth to pay taxes for both. He stated that while they didn’t owe the taxes, they would pay them to avoid causing an offence to the other people. “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” (Matthew 17:27)

While we have liberty in Christ, we also have a responsibility to avoid offense to other people. This responsibility overrides our liberty. I Corinthians 8:9 reminds of the duty, “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”

Galatians 5:13 states it slightly differently. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”