Behave like a Christian

(Titus 3:1-2 – Behave like a Christian)

How should you behave in the presence of other people. Especially towards rulers and those who are not part of the church? What does it mean to behave like a Christian?

I find it fascinating that politicians frequently roll out the “Christian Values” statement when campaigning. And when they get into office they do the exact opposite. They like the idea of Christian values because they think it will win votes. But they do not know how to behave like a Christian.

The scripture I am looking at today gives some good insights into what it means to behave like a Christian. While it would be good if the politicians and the leaders of the world today did these things, I doubt they will change.

What does it mean to behave like a Christian?

The best place to start to answer this question is to look at the verse in question.

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

Now here is a conundrum. I have just been showing how our leaders and politicians do not behave like a Christian. But this verse tells us to be obedient and submissive to rulers, leaders and authorities.

We have been called to live a peaceful life. That includes being at peace with the authorities. When we are submissive and obedient to the rulers and authorities, then we will be at peace. Rulers and authorities want nothing more than that people should respect their authority and do what is right and lawful.

To behave like a Christian is to respect authority. W know that the only authority that exists is from God, and He appoints the authorities.

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. (Romans 13:1-7)

To behave like a Christian is to follow the rules and regulations laid down by governments and so live a peaceful life.

What about when to behave like a Christian opposes government laws?

For the most part when we follow the requirements of the law we will not oppose the word of God.

However, situations may arise that directly oppose the will and the ways of God. In those instances it is more important to follow the will of God for the sake of conscience and salvation.

But what is also important is how we follow God’s will and still behave like a Christian.

Consider the likes of Daniel who refused to follow the order of the king and was thrown into the den of lions. Even though the reason for his defiance was a trap orchestrated by his foes. An order of the king required every person in Babylon not to pray to any other god but to petition the king alone. Daniel refused to do so as he prayed to the Lord several times each day. He was arrested and thrown into the lion’s den, and as we know the Lord saved him from disaster by closing the mouths of the lions.

But note what he did when the law was issued. He did not rage to the king, or organise protests in the streets, or stage demonstrations outside the king’s court. No, Daniel did not change his rituals or activities. He continued to do as he always had done.

A similar thing occurred with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. A law was enacted requiring all the people of Babylon to fall down and worship the image of the king. If anyone did not, they were thrown into burning furnace. They refused to do so and were thrown into the fire. But again, the Lord rescued them. But like Daniel, they did not make a great song and dance about it. They simply continued to do as they had always done.

We can learn a lot from Daniel and the others. Even though it was centuries before Christ, each of them behaved like a Christian. And in all cases after the things were resolved these righteous men were greatly rewarded and given many honours because they served their God even against the king’s edict.

If they had opposed the different king’s laws, would they have been honoured? I seriously doubt it because they would be branded as troublemakers and stirrers.

Many Christians fight and argue against poor government decisions and things they think are opposed to the truth of the gospel. We do not need to do that. If God wants a thing to change, He will set up the circumstances to make that happen.

And if we do not fight, argue, protest, and so on, when the truth comes out it is likely that we too might be held in higher regard.

How do we behave like a Christian with others?

So far we have looked at how to behave like a Christian with rulers. But what about the people of the world with whom we deal every day?

Basically, it is not a lot different. We treat everybody with respect, following the basic rule that underpins everything we should do. Love your neighbour as yourself!

The essence of the scripture today is saying the same. “…speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.”

It doesn’t matter who you are dealing with, treat every person with respect and honour.

And that means every person. Today there are plenty of people who are easily offended and do not follow the ways of God. There are adulterers, sexual perverts, immoral persons, criminals, paedophiles, people who are just looking for ways to do evil, and more.

Just because you are Christian does not mean you can hate those people.

Remember you have been called to love your neighbour. That means ALL of your neighbours, not just the ones you like or who are Christians like you. Christ died to save sinners, and that includes all of the above.

Besides, if you stand opposed to those people, how can you help them or show them the way to Christ? And if you stand before them with a look of disgust, how are you showing God’s love?

Consider these words:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Paul gives a list of those who will not enter the kingdom of God. But note the words at the start of verse 11, ”And such were some of you…”

Jesus died for those people and He died for you too. They came to Christ in repentance, just as you and I did so that we could receive the gift of salvation that He offers those who come to Him.

Yes, even those sinners were accepted and cleansed by the blood of Jesus, just like you and me. And remember, a sinner is a sinner. It doesn’t matter which law a person breaks, they are all sinners and in need of a Saviour.

So, we must behave like a Christian with all people because we do not know who God has His hand on. The person who is your enemy today might well be your brother or sister in Christ tomorrow.

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The Good Samaritan
Imitate Christ 2
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