Living in the Midst of a World Gone Mad (Titus 3; 1 Peter 1)

Heart of a Shepherd

Jun 02, 2023

Translations

Romanian

Trăind în mijlocul unei lumi înnebunite (Tit 3; 1 Petru 1)

French

Vivre au milieu d'un monde devenu fou (Tite 3; 1 Pierre 1)

Chinese (Simplified)

生活在一个疯狂的世界之中(提多书 3;彼得一书 1)

Urdu

پاگل ہو گئی دنیا کے درمیان رہنا (ططس 3؛ 1 پیٹر 1)

Spanish

Vivir en medio de un mundo enloquecido (Tito 3; 1 Pedro 1)

Swahili

Kuishi Katikati ya Ulimwengu Uliopita Wazimu (Tito 3; 1 Petro 1)

Arabic

العيش في وسط عالم قد جن جنونه (تيطس 3 ؛ بطرس الأولى 1)

German

Leben inmitten einer verrückt gewordenen Welt (Titus 3; 1 Petrus 1)

Dutch

Leven in het midden van een gek geworden wereld (Titus 3; 1 Petrus 1)

Tagalog

Pamumuhay sa Gitna ng Isang Mundo na Nabaliw (Tito 3; 1 Pedro 1)

Hebrew

לחיות בעיצומו של עולם שהשתגע (טיטוס 3; פטרוס א' 1)

Haitian Creole

Viv nan mitan yon monn ki vinn fou (Tit 3; 1 Pyè 1)

Danish

At leve midt i en verden, der er blevet gal (Titus 3; 1 Peter 1)

Greek

Ζώντας στη μέση ενός κόσμου που έχει τρελαθεί (Τίτος 3, 1 Πέτρου 1)

Italian

Vivere in mezzo a un mondo impazzito (Tito 3; 1 Pietro 1)

Chinese (Traditional)

生活在一個瘋狂的世界之中(提多書 3;彼得一書 1)

Japanese

狂った世界の真ん中に住む (テトス 3; 1 ペテロ 1)

French (Canada)

Vivre au milieu d'un monde devenu fou (Tite 3; 1 Pierre 1)

Croatian

Živjeti usred svijeta koji je poludio (Titu 3; 1. Petrova 1)

Hindi

पागल हो चुकी दुनिया के बीच में रहना (तीतुस 3; 1 पतरस 1)

Portuguese

Vivendo em meio a um mundo enlouquecido (Tito 3; 1 Pedro 1)

Thai

อยู่ท่ามกลางโลกที่บ้าคลั่ง (ทิตัส 3; 1 เปโตร 1)

Swedish

Att leva mitt i en värld som blivit galen (Titus 3; 1 Petrus 1)

Malay

Hidup di Tengah-tengah Dunia yang Menjadi Gila (Titus 3; 1 Petrus 1)

Korean

미친 세상 한가운데서 살기 (디도서 3장; 베드로전서 1장)

Persian

زندگی در میان جهانی دیوانه شده (تیطوس 3؛ 1 پطرس 1)

Vietlabelse

Sống giữa một thế giới phát điên (Tít 3; 1 Phi-e-rơ 1)

Russian

Жизнь посреди обезумевшего мира (Титу 3; 1 Петра 1)

Ukrainian

Життя посеред божевільного світу (Тит 3; 1 Петра 1)

Living in the Midst of a World Gone Mad (Titus 3; 1 Peter 1)

Scripture reading – Titus 3; 1 Peter 1



Today’s Scripture reading is Titus 3 and 1 Peter 1. The focus of our devotional is Titus 3.

 

After challenging Titus regarding the character and virtues of men he would ordain to minister to the churches (Titus 1:5-8), Paul warned him concerning those who would oppose the Gospel (describing them as “liars, evil beasts, [and] slow bellies” (in essence, lazy gluttons, Titus 1:12).  

In chapter 2, the apostle charged Titus concerning the spiritual character he was to expect of the membership of the church. Addressed were “aged men” (Titus 2:2), “aged women” (Titus 2:3), “young women” (Titus 2:4-5), and “young men” (Titus 2:6) of the congregation. Knowing believers of the church would be a reflection of their spiritual leaders, Paul challenged Titus concerning his demeanor before the churches (Titus 2:7), and the character and tone of his speech (Titus 2:8). He was urged to conduct himself in such a way, that those who opposed him would have “no evil thing to say” of him (Titus 2:8b).

Titus 3

The focus of Titus 3 was the life and testimony of believers in that day. The 1st century world was not much different from our own. Like the politicians and bureaucrats of the 21st century, the Roman empire was plagued with government corruption, gross injustices, and high taxes (to support Rome’s vast armies). The Caesars, and governors of Rome’s territories, were infamously immoral, and the bloody spectacle of gladiator fights was employed to feed the demand of the masses for entertainment.

The Believer’s Response to Secular Authority (Titus 3:1)

In spite of the wickedness and persecution, Paul commanded Titus to instruct believers, and “put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work” (Titus 3:1). A believer was to obey human authority (the one exception is when those in authority demand we violate the commands and word of God; Acts 4:18-20; 5:25-29). Believers were not only to be obedient, they were to be ready and eager “to every good work” (Titus 3:1d; Galatians 6:10).

The Believer’s Testimony Before His Fellow Man (Titus 3:2)

I conclude our study of Titus, and invite you to consider four practical commands (two negative, and two positive). Instructing believers concerning their relationship with others, Titus was to urge God’s people “to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2).

 

Regardless the ill treatment we might receive from others, believers are not to defame, slander, or malign the character of their fellow man (Titus 3:2a). Nor are God’s people to be “brawlers,” and find themselves caught up in the midst of needless quarrels and arguments.

 

Finally, the saints of God are to conduct themselves in a “gentle” manner, “shewing meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2b). To be gentle and compassionate toward those we love is a small matter; but to do the same toward those who are inconsiderate, and mean-spirited is another. Yet, such is the burden of believers; we are to be ready to forgive, and harbor no bitterness in our hearts (Ephesians 4:32). Though the wicked are brazen, and offensive, believers are commanded to respond in “meekness,” accepting slights with gentleness.

 

Are those spiritual qualities true of you?

 

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Copyright © 2022 – Travis D. Smith

 

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