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, shewing all meekness unto all men. — Titus 3:1-2 KJV
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. — Titus 3:1-2 NIV
Reflection on Verse for Today
There is a wealth of wisdom to glean from these simple yet profound bible verses for today. Let’s explore this deeper.
The first part of these verses instructs us to be obedient to those in authority. This doesn’t mean blind obedience, but rather a respectful acknowledgment of established authority, as long as it doesn’t contradict the principles of God’s word. We should act with wisdom, knowing that every authority on earth is under the sovereign authority of God.
We are also instructed to be ready to do whatever is good. The beauty of our faith isn’t merely in words or doctrines, but in action, in living out the teachings of Christ. “Goodness” in this context isn’t about moral superiority, but about humbly serving others and the world around us, imitating the servant-leadership model of Jesus.
The next exhortation is to slander no one. We live in an era where words are often used as weapons, spread quickly and thoughtlessly through digital channels. As Christians, we are called to use our words wisely, to build up rather than tear down, to speak truth lovingly rather than indulge in harmful gossip or slander. This might be challenging, but it is part of our calling to be different, to be ‘salt and light’ in the world.
To be “peaceable and considerate” is the next instruction. As we interact with others, we should strive for peace, harmony, and mutual respect. Consideration suggests thoughtfulness towards others’ feelings and needs, it echoes the second greatest commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.
The final instruction in these bible verses is to be gentle towards everyone. We are called to reflect God’s grace and love through our actions, and gentleness is a manifestation of that love. It’s not about being weak or passive, but about having the strength to respond with kindness and patience, even in challenging situations.
Let us remember that these verses are gentle reminder of how we are to live our lives daily as Christians. It highlights the importance of respecting authority, doing good, using our words wisely, promoting peace, and exercising gentleness. All these are practical expressions of our faith, making our Christianity more than just a belief system, but a transformative lifestyle that reflects the love of God to the world around us. This is a challenging task, yet through the grace of God and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we can strive to live out these principles in our day-to-day lives.