Being a Disciple

by Hugh DeLong

Paul wrote: “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men” (Titus 3:1-2).

To be a disciple of Jesus, we must live our lives according to His teaching. Not all of His teaching is easy, mainly because it differs from what we had become before our conversion. We learned our lifestyle, and now He wants us to change – to be transformed, to be renewed in our thinking. This change in our thinking has to come first, and then it changes how we live.

In our American life today, it seems to me that there simply is more animosity, strife, hatred, factualism, etc. than in our recent past. Such modern lifestyle is opposed to how we are taught to live as disciples.

Malign No One

The word here in Greek is blasphemy – which is to slander, defame, or speak abusively/injuriously about (or to) a person. Notice how broad the application is: to no one. Then we join social media and that is the predominant content of postings. Such is in the titles of YouTube videos, and it makes up the headlines of news articles. With all of this influence, it is easy for us to join in.

Be Peaceable

Again, our self-centered mindset seeks out only those who agree with us and ‘declare war’ on those who disagree. This leaves us struggling with how to go ahead and disagree while remaining peaceable. How do we contend for the truth without becoming contentious?

Be Gentle

This is variably translated ‘reasonable’, ‘forbearing’, or ‘yeilding’. At its foundation is the ability to give up ‘my rights’ for the greater good of someone else.

Showing All Consideration for All Men

"Treat others as you would have them treat you”- thus said Jesus.

Just these four instructions show the radical difference of how disciples ought to live and how people actually conduct themselves. It doesn’t have to be this way with you. You are different. You have been sanctified, that is, ‘set apart’ as a servant of God. You have not learned Christ this way. This is between you and the Lord. Are you molding your life according to His instructions?