(Titus 3:1-2) “Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.” This scripture is from a letter Paul wrote to Titus, a young pastor. The previous chapter in Titus included instructions for how to be Christ-like in a variety of household roles, such as older men and women, young women and men, bondservants and masters (employees and bosses), and how these are ways we proclaim Christ to our generation.
This same truth is applied to how we treat governmental authorities. One commentator wrote, “This doctrine of obedience to the civil powers was highly necessary for the Cretans, who were reputed a people exceedingly jealous of their civil privileges, and ready to run into a state of insurrection when they suspected any attempt on the part of their rulers to infringe their liberties.” (Barnes). The IVP commentary states, “Allegiance to the state and submission to its authorities … were as important as, or possibly more important than, household duties in undermining slander about subversiveness, because the Romans hated nothing worse than cults they deemed seditious. The epitome of right relationships was being kind toward everyone, including one’s enemies; this injunction is a fitting climax to Paul’s rules on relationships.”
Paul was speaking to people under the rule of a government that was literally anti-Christ. It was the same Roman empire under which Christ was crucified. Additionally, the moral state of the Roman Empire would make modern America seem puritan. Yet, God’s Word instructs us to be obedient and humble, and respectful in our speech. Why? Because as Christ followers we represent a more powerful government—the Kingdom of God. And our ultimate goal is communicating the truth of the Gospel, not merely proving that our opinion is better than others’.
Are there times that call for civil disobedience? I believe there are. Many times in history we have seen the church rise up against oppression and willingly suffer sacrificially to see change. Protesting slavery was primarily done by Christ-followers. Standing up against communism in the Soviet Union and China was a clear triumph of the church as many thousands, perhaps millions, suffered for their faith. But these cannot be compared to what we are being asked to do in response to this current pandemic.
I’m grateful we live in a nation that values freedom of speech. That principle means that I’m willing to die for your right to say something I think is absolutely wrong. If we desire to maintain freedom of speech for those with whom we agree, we must also defend that right for those whom we think are wrong. As Christ-followers, as the light of the World that Jesus has called us to be, let us find ways to demonstrate our faith during this time that does good without slander or quarreling, realizing that the need for everyone to hear the Good News of Jesus is more vital now than it may ever have been in our time.