Christianity looks a lot different in the western half of the world than it does in the east. Though we’re more and more in the minority, in the context of say, Middle East or Asian Christians, we’re relatively safe here. Though our government is acting like a secular government, most of our rights are still intact. Likewise, westerners are great arguers. We’re living in a polar world, you and me, where there’s a choice to be made and indecisiveness is not an option. You’re either Democrat or Republican; you’re for abortion or against it; you’re black or you’re white. We could go on. This creates tensions that continually boil over and plague our society. Races continue to pit against each other. We anger over politicians’ choices and laws. And still some are worried over global moral decay because of Starbucks cups void of any evergreens and snow. In essence, we are angry that nonbelievers and the unsaved are acting as nonbelievers and unsaved.
As Christians, it’s easy to get sucked into this tension that so often snowballs to senseless arguments. Now more than ever, we’re able to voice our opinions. We can click out our feelings on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I’m doing it now. Everyone is connected. Our non-believing friends aren’t ignoring Christians’ posts. They hear us and see us arguing with hate and leveraging various chunks of the Bible that have been twisted out of context . They see our discrimination and they feel it deeply. Our words matter, not because we’re suddenly changing the minds of those with whom we disagree, but because they continue to drive away those who are already far from Jesus because of intolerance, misunderstanding, and refusal of acceptance. Thankfully, there’s nothing new under the sun. These problems were facing were similar to those with which Titus was confronted in Crete. In a town ransacked with idols, sexual immorality, liars, and gluttony, Paul writes to Titus and gives an account to how Christian leaders should act. This letter is rich with ways in which we can be a light to the world around us as we are called in Matthew 5. Crete needed a Savior. They had one, but didn’t know it. Titus and his team were constant in their efforts and Paul writes that they should “speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy to all people.” This seems like a no-brainer. We’re taught these things as kids: Don’t fight with your brother, be nice to your neighbor, don’t smack Johnny in the back of the head. But somewhere along the way, adulthood dilutes these concepts and we are sucked into the vortex of rising tensions and arguments that the secular world is holds onto because they don’t know the hope of their Savior.
Paul, thankfully, gives Titus steps ways to show Cretans (in other words, non-believers) the love of Christ. In encouraging Cretans to “show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned,” Paul isn’t insinuating that these actions save us. In fact, in chapter three, he reinforces his same idea from Ephesians 2:8: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of our Savior appeared, he saved us not because of the works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace, we might become heirs to the hope of eternal life.” Right after making this point, though, Paul goes onto say “I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” This is important for a few reasons. These works aren’t a condition of salvation; rather, our salvation evokes these responses that translate to good works because of the mercy and love Christ bestowed on us. Show them your love for them because of the love Jesus has for you (and them!). It’s through these good works that we become “fruitful” and contribute to society, which in turn allow us to foster relationships with those around us and help in the work of making disciples.
If we’re believers and continually showing God’s love through our actions and good works, then there should be no time for quarreling. Paul says it this way: “But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and useless.” This idea of usefulness is paralleled directly to his closing sentiment that Titus and his team be devoted to good works, “so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”
We have a big task on our hands, friends. Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This wasn’t true only for Titus. This is true for us. Neither Jesus nor Paul expected the Cretans to act as a Christian should. They weren’t Christians! The standard was set too high. Instead, he encourages Christians in Crete to act with uprightness and self-control and love, so that the Cretans may see our Savior through them. There is no greater time than this. Let’s start acting with love and mercy, because, it is written, “we were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy.” Can we all just agree to give each other a break and try love?
