Common Ground

In Paul's letter to Titus in Crete, he tells Titus about the job Titus was assigned -- to "set in order what remains" (Titus 1:5) -- and gives him instructions on what that entails. That included appointing elders (Titus 1:5-9) and silencing false teachers (Titus 1:10-11), teaching believers how to behave among themselves (Titus 2:1-10) and toward unbelievers (Titus 3:1-2). Of particular interest is that section on how believers should behave toward unbelievers.

Paul instructed him to remind them (thus, to remind us) to be subject to authorities and to be ready for every good deed (Titus 3:1). We should malign no one and not go looking for fights (a very difficult thing in today's Internet and social media world), but be gentle and show consideration for all people (Titus 3:2). What's interesting here is why. Why should we avoid disputing and show consideration for all? "For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another" (Titus 3:3). Paul says we were all what they are. Righteous indignation is not called for here; compassion is. They don't need correction; they need Jesus. The difference between us and them is not that we got better, but that, "when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Tit 3:4-6). We aren't better. We aren't simply on the higher moral ground. We were graciously saved from what we were by the kindness and love of God. As such, we ought to show them the same.

Paul goes on to say that Titus should "speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men" (Titus 3:8). We don't need to correct the world. We aren't called to correct the world. We are called to engage in good deeds, to let our lights shine in such a way that they may see our good works and glorify our Father (Matt 5:16). We are told to love -- sacrificially -- and not beat them about the head and shoulders until they surrender. Our job is not to fix their misguided morality, but to live exempliary lives of compassion to show them what God is offering. Why? Because we've been there. Because we have common ground. Because we, too, are sinners, but we are saved by God's grace and love. And they can have that, too.