BE MINDFUL OF THESE THINGS

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

Throughout the word of God, there are things that we, as Christians, must be constantly reminded of in order to live a godly life while here on earth. Not only did Paul tell Titus to continually teach righteous conduct to the members of the church of Christ on the island of Crete, but he also taught Timothy to teach the same to the body of Christ in Ephesus (1 Tim. 4:6ff). The apostle Peter told Christians that he would not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, that is, righteous conduct, even though ye know them, and be established in the present truth (2 Pet. 1:12). It is not sufficient to teach Christians only one time how to live a righteous life here on earth, but to teach this message over and over again - to consistently and constantly remind them of God's will, regarding their duties and responsibilities to God, to the cause of Christ, and to their families, friends, neighbors, and fellow Christians.

The wisdom of Solomon also tells us that we should get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth (Prov. 4:5). Why is it necessary to continually study the word of God, listen to faithful gospel preachers and teachers, and teach it to others? Because you and I forget! It is necessary for us to be constantly reminded that we are to be subject to principalities and powers, (and) to obey magistrates. Christians must refrain from rebellion and seditious conduct against their governments. They must recognize, and obey, the authority of governmental officials as they strive for the peace and the well-being of all people over whom they govern.

Christians must always be reminded to be ready to every good work. To be ready, is to constantly search for, and recognize, the needs of others, and be prepared to fill that need to the best of one's ability. Good works should be repeated so often that they become habit - that they become so natural and routine, that we need no encouraging, or prompting, by others to demonstrate our concern for the physical and spiritual welfare of our families, and all others that we come in contact with. We must also be reminded to speak evil of no man - we should not perjure, slander, sow discord, backbite, or in any other way, speak falsely in a malicious or harmful way, that would discredit, or defame, the character of others. We must often be reminded to be no brawlers - not contentious, argumentative, quarrelsome, or belligerent. Contrariwise, we must be reminded to become, practice, and remain gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. To be gentle is to have, and demonstrate,meekness with a kind, generous, patient, and mild demeanor and disposition toward all men and women that we come in contact with during our daily lives.

Paul told Titus, and by inference, tells each Christian, the reason, that we must constantly be reminded of the things that will keep us obedient to God's will. It is because we ourselves also were then, and still are today, sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Human beings are easily deceived when we allow others to direct our lives without questioning their motives. False teachers, for various self-fulfilling reasons, have always been able to lead millions of people away from God, robbing them of the hope of eternal salvation. Their false doctrine leads many people to stray from the will of God. It is obvious that when sin controls our conduct, we are not spending enough time thinking about fulfilling the will of God, and obeying His commandments that are found in His holy word.

The apostle Paul gave us the answer in his letter to the church of Christ at Philippi. He wrote, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. We must constantly study God's word. In it we will find exactly how God expects us to conduct our lives on earth, as well as all things we need to know to enjoy the hope of eternal salvation. Be mindful of these things!