Of course, someone eventually noticed my flaming red Kia parked in the small forbidden parking lot. I found the bright orange notice under my windshield wiper. Due to construction, the regular lot for substitute teachers is out of service; filled with temporary classroom trailers. Subs are to park in the lots at the rear of the school, regardless of the inconvenience. We must trudge around the circumference of the large building to enter via the locked front visitor entrance. This may be easier with good knees and non-arthritic feet. However, my knees and feet are both old and decrepit. And so, it was with great irritation I read the notice. Surely it didn’t apply to me?!
SURELY IT DOESN’T APPLY TO ME…
Did you ever receive a rule and think that it must not apply to you? Maybe you dutifully obey all the other rules. Why do you have to obey this specific inconvenient rule? An experience like this can shed light on one’s attitude toward authority. My attitude needs readjustment. Does yours?
WHAT A REPUTATION!
From the chapter one in Titus, we surmise that the Cretin believers are an unruly group. They wrestle with being arrogant, quick-tempered, violent, dishonest, a rebellious people. Sources describe the people of Crete as “liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons”. What a reputation!
ATTITUDES ABOUT AUTHORITY
However, Cretins are slowly growing in Christ. What does Titus further need to instruct them on? Chapter three introduces the topic of attitudes about their rulers. How we behave toward those in authority, regardless of how rulers got into power. In our rearview mirror should be behaviors described as foolish, disobedient, spending and wasting our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. Going forward, believers are to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good, to slander or abuse no one, to be kind and conciliatory and gentle, showing unqualified consideration and courtesy toward everyone. That is quite a turn-around. A true readjustment in attitude.
CONSIDERATION AND COURTESY TOWARD ALL
Believers are not to be hurling sarcastic, derogatory, and foul-mouthed words at those we disagree with. We must be kind and gentle. God’ children must show unqualified consideration and courtesy toward everyone, obey the law (as long as it does not directly violate God’s law) and be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, ready and willing to do good. Doesn’t matter whether we like the ruler or how they rule.
READJUSTMENT IN ATTITUDE
God’s reputation is at stake since we are His ambassadors. We swallow our pride, are respectful and obey the rules. Our personal convenience or preference doesn’t enter the equation. A true readjustment in attitude.
And so, I dutifully park my Kia in one of the designated parking lots at the rear of the building, fight the biting cold winds and trudge to the front of the school. All because God says, “Be subject to rulers and authorities, be obedient, and be ready and willing to do good.” Are you God’s ambassador in all matters of obedience? My attitude needed readjustment. Does yours?