Titus 3 – The Listening Plan

Devotional

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,

– Titus 3:1

This isn’t really the exhortation that a lot of us would like to hear. Especially for many living in an American context. We Americans are not the most submissive folks. We don’t like to be subject to rulers or authorities. But this exhortation comes up in a number of Paul’s letters. So, submissive to, and obey the authorities that govern you.

At this point you might object: “Paul must not have lived under a government like mine. My government is filled with people who don’t honor God, and sometimes totally reject Him.” To that objection there is a resounding “overruled!” The government under which Paul was living when he wrote this was one of the worst ever, ruled by a veritable lunatic, named Nero (look him up, he was crazy). And yet Paul says, “Be submissive to, and obey the authorities that govern you.”