By Pastor Joe Aguilar

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:1-2

For the Adults:

“You know how you change a community? Obey the law.”

-Chip Ingram

Paul begins chapter 3 with 2 verses that list out how we apply the teachings he spoke of in chapters 1 and 2. Today we will look at only the 1st verse.

Paul begins with the word "remind," which means that these teachings are not new. These are probably lessons taught by Paul when he was at Crete with Titus setting up the churches a few years earlier.

The culture of Crete was famous for living in sin, and the first 2 verses in chapter 3 instruct the Christians in Crete under Titus' leadership not to be part of it. The term "them" in verse 1 refers to the Christian church members in Crete.

Paul gives us 3 commands here in the 1st verse. First, believers are, as Paul puts it, to be "subject to," or "submissive to" authority figures. This is something we learn throughout the New Testament. Christians are to submit to, not necessarily obey, authorities such as the government (Romans 13). We are also instructed to pray for governing leaders (1 Timothy 2:1–4).

Titus reminds believers to "be obedient," which is not the same as submission. Someone who refuses to comply with an unjust law, but who accepts the resulting punishment from the government is being submissive, not obedient. Believers are called on to obey God. Obedience is not part of earning salvation or becoming right with God but is an expectation for the believer.

Titus was also expected to teach believers to "be ready" to do good works. This is also mentioned in Ephesians 2:10, where we learn that we are created in Christ, in order to do the good works God planned for us in advance.

At FBC Weslaco we have created accountability groups during these trying times brought forth by the Coronavirus pandemic. We have given people the name and number for some of our members who could benefit from a phone call or two throughout the week. As we check up on our loved ones, we have also learned of some needs we would have otherwise been oblivious to.

If God is tugging at your heartstrings, obey and do. Pray that God give you His eyes to see the needs around you. If you need help or need guidance please feel free to call the office, 956-968-9585.

For the children:

When was the last time you checked in on your grandparents?

Who have you heard through your contacts/connections is not doing well?

Can you reach out to them and see how you can help?

Read and meditate:

Pray:

Lord I know this pandemic has been hard on so many people, and I ask that you reveal someone to me, so that I can love them like Jesus. Help me to be obedient to your Holy Spirit and do something that can help them. I pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen.

About the author:

Jose Aguilar Jr. is an Associate Pastor at FBC Weslaco and has served in this capacity for the last 11 years. He and his wife Blanca have served faithfully at FBC Weslaco since 2001. They are the proud grandparents of Lilyana Faythe and Trinidad Esperanza Aguilar.