 So, we think our society is in bad shape, do we? Try ancient Crete, say, about 2000 years ago. Alcoholism was almost universal, no-commitment relationships were the norm, and violence against women was epidemic. It's into this culture that the apostle Paul dropped a very young protege of his, Titus.
In his letter that survives to today, Paul gave Titus specific instructions on how to begin to rebuild a society in chaos. In chapter two of the epistle, Paul focuses on gender, age and position to begin the renovation project. He has pointed instructions to Titus on expectations the young minister should have of older women, older men, younger women, younger men, and slaves. The catch? All of the people in these varied groups shared one thing in common: a faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul's instructions to Titus are to draw lines of accountability within the community of faith he is leading. He doesn't tell Titus to go change Crete by lecturing people in the streets, or complaining how bad society is to those in the church who would listen. You want to make an impact on society? Start with those in the church. Teach them and model for them a holiness lived out that is attractive and pure.
How have we done, as the church in North America, in following Paul's advice? Ya, not that good. Much of evangelical Christianity in North America still sits in fortress churches, lobbing judgement bombs at their non-believing family and neighbours because they do not live like Christians. Boy, talk about setting yourself up to be constantly disappointed. Expecting people who want nothing to do with church to act like Christians ought! At least there will be a never ending supply of examples to go "tsk tsk" about each Sunday.
Legalism in the Cretan church was especially tempting because of the chaos in society. When all the world around you is seemingly out of control, a life of rigid discipline can seem attractive. And if you throw in a belief that living that disciplined life will earn you extra favour with God, all the better. But Paul is clear that is not the answer either. Trading enslavement to our passions with enslavement to legalism is still enslavement.
Paul asserts that there is a third way. He calls Titus to teach his flock to live out of an overflowing of gratitude for the grace shown by God in the work of Jesus Christ. No longer enslaved to sin, we can experience freedom of living. Freedom to live a life of renewed purity that honours the grace of God, but also expands His kingdom. The way we live communicates the work God has done and is doing in our lives. Church, our lives are either the Gospel, or they aren't. Our lives either draw our neighbours and friends to ask about our hope, our they do not. Legalism is a form of selfishness that puts the focus of faith on self, not God Our motivation to live free and pure must come from the same attitude that God expressed to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, an attitude of sacrificial love, gratitude, relationship and grace. No fortress church, no walls, no legalism, no judgement bombs lobbed at our neighbours.
I'll end this blog entry with this: Read all three chapters of Titus. Had Paul left Titus in Markham, in Toronto, or in your neighbourhood, what would be different in his instructions? Try rewriting some of the letter to make it fit your context. I wonder What insights we'll gain from this exercise.
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