The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Titus 3:1-2,
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"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 always to be gentle toward everyone."
Paul's purpose for this statement can be easily seen in his concern the gospel remain attractive to those yet to be evangelized. For believers to be anything other than what Paul says above would bring disrepute to the gospel and to the Lord among the unsaved. In any event, this is how we are to live our lives in a manner pleasing to God as we remain in this life.
Paul's reference to being subject to rulers and authorities brings to mind another passage that has a different concern attached. In Romans 13:1-5 we read, "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience."
In this passage we are reminded of God's vast involvement with the affairs of this world, today's world. The authorities that exist are established and used by God for his purposes. I'm prone to assume someone else has established some of these authorities, so it is a good reminder for me.
I'm certain Paul is not referring to every possible contingency relative to authorities in all people's lives, but generally speaking. What I mean is that if an authority is hip-deep in evil, slaughtering people, etc. is not a part of what Paul has in mind here. He is providing a general observation that the authorities that exist have been established by God - don't rebel against them. Paul is not assuming an authority cannot become corrupt, but generally speaking, if we rebel against that authority, we are rebelling against what God has established. When it comes to threading the needle here, I would think that Jesus' comment in another place would be very appropriate, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." Matthew 22:21. If Caesar begins to engage in what is what God finds detestable... you get the idea.
Where many people cannot seem to see God at all, as they are about their busy lives today, God is right here. These passages remind me that he is right in our midst and actively involved in the affairs of mankind. As Paul says in Philippians 4:4-5, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." I am reminded that I will be somehow touched by God in one way or another today, there will be some kind of interaction. I can confidently say the same for you as well. As the Creator and Sustainer of our world, he touches each of us everyday and is active in the world, active in our lives much more that we might possibly think.
Paul's purpose for this statement can be easily seen in his concern the gospel remain attractive to those yet to be evangelized. For believers to be anything other than what Paul says above would bring disrepute to the gospel and to the Lord among the unsaved. In any event, this is how we are to live our lives in a manner pleasing to God as we remain in this life.
Paul's reference to being subject to rulers and authorities brings to mind another passage that has a different concern attached. In Romans 13:1-5 we read, "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience."
In this passage we are reminded of God's vast involvement with the affairs of this world, today's world. The authorities that exist are established and used by God for his purposes. I'm prone to assume someone else has established some of these authorities, so it is a good reminder for me.
I'm certain Paul is not referring to every possible contingency relative to authorities in all people's lives, but generally speaking. What I mean is that if an authority is hip-deep in evil, slaughtering people, etc. is not a part of what Paul has in mind here. He is providing a general observation that the authorities that exist have been established by God - don't rebel against them. Paul is not assuming an authority cannot become corrupt, but generally speaking, if we rebel against that authority, we are rebelling against what God has established. When it comes to threading the needle here, I would think that Jesus' comment in another place would be very appropriate, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." Matthew 22:21. If Caesar begins to engage in what is what God finds detestable... you get the idea.
Where many people cannot seem to see God at all, as they are about their busy lives today, God is right here. These passages remind me that he is right in our midst and actively involved in the affairs of mankind. As Paul says in Philippians 4:4-5, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." I am reminded that I will be somehow touched by God in one way or another today, there will be some kind of interaction. I can confidently say the same for you as well. As the Creator and Sustainer of our world, he touches each of us everyday and is active in the world, active in our lives much more that we might possibly think.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"The wicked freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race." Psalm 12:8.
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"The wicked freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race." Psalm 12:8.
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