Excelling In Goodness And Mercy Series

A major part of learning how to do something is learning the "do nots." To illustrate: One of my first lessons related to learning how to be a locomotive engineer involved learning certain things that I must not do—such as going to sleep. While pulling a train, you do not reach down and apply the brakes on the engines. Why? Because you will quickly reduce the engine speed while the rear of the train is still traveling full speed. To do so will result in the rear end running into the front end. This will give you whip lash or tear up the train, sometimes causing cars to pop out.

One night an engineer was pulling a long train north and, on a descent toward the Sabine River bottom, the train suddenly went into emergency. The conductor walked up toward the front of the and found where the cars had uncoupled. He and the engineer reconnected the train and went on their way. That morning another train crew saw a tank car rolled over on its side—the slack ran in and caused the tank car to literally “pop” out and roll into the ditch. Lesson learned? You don’t apply the engine brakes when the rear end of a train is rushing down a hill.

We live in a society that wants to champion avoidance of the negative; however, just as a child has to learn that fire burns, we have to learn certain things do not automatically lead to excellency. Sadly, we may have to learn from our mistakes. Excelling in goodness and mercy is achieved by laying the ground work for who we are to become.

Paul is honest and points out potential problems Titus will face while serving as a discipler on the island of Crete. Part of the challenge will involve Titus getting the people to operate from a different worldview. They will have to give up certain behavioral characteristics.

In the pursuit for godliness they will discover there are some negative characteristics that will block their ascendancy to excellency. Yet, disciples also learn lessons about how to experience a life characterized by goodness, mercy, grace, and joy.

I. KINGDOM PEOPLE STRIVE FOR HARMONY IN ALL OF LIFE

31Remind 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.

Paul uses the present tense and imperative mood of the verb "remind" in his instructions to Titus. In the first two verses of chapter three Paul calls the Christians’ attention to several behavioral expectations that are to guide them in their relationship with civil authorities.

You have to recall the pagan characteristics of the Cretans when attempting to understanding this passage. One of their own described them as "Liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons." I can only imagine the flavor of a city council meeting.

For many, this raises the question of civil disobedience. Fortunately, we live in a democratic society. We can work within the framework of society and positively influence change. That is the emphasis of Paul's instructions. They are to be ready to do every good work.

I hear a lot of people talk about their love and adoration for God and their willingness to follow him; however, the litmus test for Christianity is in how well we can work within systems.

A. Disciples Live Within the Framework of Church and Society.

Sometimes I look at our government and wonder what in the world we are doing. Like you, I often regret my taxes are paying for some of the programs that seem antithetical to that which Christianity represents. Yet, I have to be a law-abiding citizen--otherwise life becomes very chaotic.

The starting place for good citizenship is right here, in the church. God has designed the church to work in a particular way. I must ask, Am I a good resident member of the church? How do you know if you are a good citizen, in the church and in society?

B. Disciples Are Proactive in Their Service

I like the word proactive; I was introduced to the term while in seminary. It is the opposite of reactive. Civil disobedience is often nothing more than a reactive position.

To be proactive means we are responsible for our lives. "Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. Reactive people look at a situation and draw a line in the sand. Proactive people look at the same situation and are drawn to the opportunities it presents.

I believe this is what Paul has in mind when encouraging them to be prepared for "every good work."

C. Disciples Avoid Caustic Techniques

Grumblers and gripers are reactive people. Scripture says we are to avoid this disposition. There are at least two reasons people are negative and caustic when facing a challenge.