“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” – Titus 3:1-2
Many today lament the diminishing influence of Christianity and Christians in our culture. Various solutions are proposed, but the only ones that will actually make a true and lasting Kingdom difference are the ones that involve Christians acting like Jesus! Prayer. Submission. Obedience. Good works. Kind words. Peacemaking. Gentleness. Courtesy. Toward all. Even those really different from us. Especially those we disagree with or who attack the faith.
Christians need to act like Christ! 2000 years ago, Christians worshiped in a pagan culture that misunderstood, belittled, feared, and hated them. The culture was highly sexualized, immoral, cruel, and materialistic. Divorce was common and abortion was widespread. Yet the good news of Jesus Christ changed all that!
What changed the world wasn’t the power, wealth, or political influence of the church – it had none. What changed the world was the radically counter-cultural love, kindness, gentleness, and mutual caring that people saw in the church. What changed the world was the obvious reliance on God’s Holy Spirit in the face of opposition and persecution. People were starving for these things and they flocked to the faith.
As we minister to a post-Christian culture, we must once again find our power in prayer and God’s Spirit. We must once again find our character in Jesus, not charismatic and influential church leaders. Christians must commit themselves to act like Christ all the time and in all places.