Christians Living in the World

 

    We are all subject to authority in which we are required to be obedient.  However, it is out attitude toward obedience that matters.  We need to be ready to do good at all times, so that means that we do not hold back, resent, or hold grudges against our authority.  Do not hold back from doing what is right.

    Avoid fighting because it does not answer anything.  Do not lower yourself to slander other people no matter how much they try to hurt you or are horrible leaders.  It doesn't hurt them as much as it will hurt you.  You will become known for being a negative, picky person that finds faults in other people.  Instead live in peace and be considerate by showing humility.  The people you would slander will show their true colors on their own.

    At one point in our lives we all lived foolishly, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved to our passions.  It was God's loving kindness that opened our eyes to a different way of life.  Nothing changed but ourselves.  We are Christians still living in the same world we lived in before we had the relationship with Jesus.  Only now we are able to remove malice, envy, and hatred to be replaced by holy love, mercy, and grace.  

    Our relationship with Jesus justifies us by His grace, not our own.  He gave us hope for eternity.  It is no longer a scary void.  It is not something to dread.  It is a promise that is trustworthy.  That is why we devote ourselves to doing good, to be excellent, and profitable.  We avoid what is unprofitable and useless in our lives.  It is the Holy Spirit that regenerates us to be righteous.  Invest into Him and He pours Himself into you.  

    Avoid decisive people: genealogist, problem finders, people that enjoy a dispute, unlawful people.  Arguing with them will get you no where.  They will tear your world apart.  You only need to give them two warnings before you cut them out of your life.  If you do not, then you will never devote yourself to what is good.  You will always be torn by the worldliness of the decisive people.  They are self-condemned because they are determined not to change.  You can't help them, so they need to be removed from the church (church discipline) and left to their own devises in the world.

    It is better to devote yourself to what is good and focus on today's needs so that you are productive.  Do it out of love and faith to give those around you grace.  The church needs to love one another with a holy faithful heart for Jesus.  We need to work together without division.  

Titus 3