CHRISTIAN CHARACTER COUNTS IN CITIZENSHIP.

Titus 3:1-11 KJV  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,  2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.  3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  

4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;  7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.  

9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.  10  A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;  11  Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Christian Citizens

Remember that the rulers and powers that be are allowed there by God for a purpose. "...the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will."  Dan 5:21

And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Daniel 4:34-35 KJV

Sometimes we may not like a person in power because of the corruption, lies, injustice etc. We may be tempted to speak evil of such but as children of God we are exhorted to be good citizens in all things. We pay our taxes and dues. We do not cheat nor defraud. We do not become leeches and parasites. We live and provide things honest in the sight of all men. This does not mean we are not to speak out against evil and there is a time when we have to declare where we stand: And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,  28  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.  29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.  Acts 5:27-29 KJV 

But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;  15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  16  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.  1 Peter 3:14-16 KJV  

There is nothing out of order or wrong in hating sin, which we should. There is nothing wrong in becoming angry at the sinfulness, perversion and corruption that undermines and erodes the righteous fiber of society, but we would be wrong, incorrect and totally out of order to express this in hatred for individuals or disrespect for their office. God expects us to be driven by a Christ like spirit and demeanor, to fervent intercession for the good of our country and the souls of the persons left in charge.

Christian Courtesies

We are to live in peace, not jumping into every fight and dispute. A man is entitled to his opinion without us initiating a war. Our way should be that of Christ...meek and lowly in heart.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30 KJV 

We should not have respect of persons but should treat all men (and women) with the same courtesy, gentleness, grace that testifies we are the followers and disciples of Christ. We should not discriminate between the high and low, rich and poor, black or white, attractive or repulsive, which would be the natural tendency of the flesh. We are instead to love as Christ loved even though He was despised and rejected of men. We are to forgive as Christ forgave even those who were in the process of crucifying Him. The Christian is always exhorted and encouraged to follow peace with all men! We need to really try for peace with all effort, earnestness, and diligence.  

Remember: We did nothing to deserve the grace of God...by His own mercy He saved us. 

Christian Correction.

There are things we need to avoid as believers and disciples: But avoid stupid and foolish controversies and genealogies and dissensions and wrangling about the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.  10 [As for] a man who is factious [a heretical sectarian and cause of divisions], after admonishing him a first and second time, reject [him from your fellowship and have nothing more to do with him], 11 Well aware that such a person has utterly changed (is perverted and corrupted); he goes on sinning [though he] is convicted of guilt and self-condemned. Titus 3:9-11 AMP

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.  Titus 3:8 KJV

THE DOCTRINE DRIVEN CHURCH!

Titus 2:1-15 KJV  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:  2  That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.  3  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  4  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  5  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.  7  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,  8  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.  9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;  10  Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.  11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine…

Following through with the previous warnings about heretical teachings, the apostle now contrasts the false teachings with that which should be the result of following sound doctrine. Titus is exhorted to mould and channel the believers’ behavior and character along the lines of action that are built on healthy teaching.

A church is defined by its doctrines. Jesus underlines the importance of doctrine when He said: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.  28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:  29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:24-29 KJV 

Sound doctrines faithfully followed, are the foundations of the believer’s faith. They may not usually be seen, but they are essential to support the rest of the believer’s life, and their real value and importance become manifest when the believer faces up to the storms of life. Storms can be raging like a hurricane and a tsunami, or they can be creeping in silently in the night and subtly trying to erode the faith. However, a life built on sure foundations will stand and remain sure when everything else around it collapses and comes crashing down.

The preacher should be constantly preaching and teaching for change. A believer’s life is a life of constant change and alignment with the doctrine of God!

 

Doctrinal characteristics of Older Men

1.  Sober -  Exercising restraint in desires and maintaining moral control

2. Grave – Behaving with a dignity that earns respect and consequently a listening ear

3. Temperate - Doctrinal application produces a sound mind which avoids temptation to gossip or indulge in mental attitude sins and will over time produce this stable and calming character trait.

4. Sound in faith – Again the close adherence to sound doctrine results in strong foundations that are unshakeable and immoveable. Such men become towers of strength and encouragement to others

5. Sound in charity – Love in action for action speaks louder than words or all our spiritual platitudes

6. Sound in endurance - Steadfast endurance under pressure. A military word exemplifying the steadfastness and courageously standing despite all the assaults of the enemy “…and having done all to stand…”

Doctrinal characteristics of Older Women

1. Behaviour as becometh holiness – Behave like a person set apart for sacred service

2. Not false accusers – Do not be a slanderer.

3. Not given to much wine- Break away from the common practice and societies norms. Live as an example of sobriety and quietness.

4. Teachers of good things – Teach by actions, by lifestyle by proper speech…become an overwhelming influence for good

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  5  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:4-5 KJV 

Be an influence by example to the younger women. Teach, instruct and train. Mentor them. Remind them of the dignity of womanhood, and that they do not have be imitators of men and poor imitators at that. It is really not an achievement in the sight of God when a woman boasts that she can do anything a man can do and better than the men. There is something obnoxious and repelling about such individuals. It is not a shame and a sign of weakness to be the type of woman God expects you to be.

Titus was also exhorted to be an example to the young men: In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,  8  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus 2:7-8 KJV 

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Titus 2:11-15 KJV 

2 John 1:8-9 KJV Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.