In the Blocks

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1).

The runners gather at the near the starting line. They shake and stretch their muscles. The tension builds in the crowd and on the track. We’re just moments away from the race. All of the training and all of the preparations, come down to this. The starter stands by the track as the athletes position themselves in the blocks. The buzz in the bleachers builds. The starter gives his first command, “Runners, on your mark.” The anticipation is so thick you could cut it with a chainsaw. “Set.” The stadium is about to explode as the starter raises his pistol. 

This is the scene as we start chapter three of Paul’s letter to Titus. Once new believers know what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10), it’s time to get going. At some point, we have to start running. At some point, we have to put into practice the truth of what we know about Him. At some point, we have to leave the starting block and run the race. We know that “the grace of God has appeared” in the person of Jesus to rescue every one of us (Titus 2:11). We know that His amazing goodness gives us the ability to live for Him right here and right now (Titus 2:12). We know that He’s certain to make His incredible comeback someday soon (Titus 2:13). Once we know our situation, it’s time for the application. Now that we know the “Who” and the “why,” it’s time for the “what.” We’re in the blocks and ready to run the race.

Runners, on your mark. Set.

In those final moments before the start of the race, Paul wants Titus to give us some important final instructions. “Remind them” (v1). In other words, they’ve been told before. This isn’t the first time they’ve heard this. This reminder to be reminded reminds us of our need to remember the basics. As followers of Jesus, we constantly need to hear the Gospel. We need to hear it every single day. We need to be reminded. And we constantly need to remind those around us that everything we need we already have in Christ. Before we can do anything, we absolutely must remember what He’s done for us. Jesus lived the perfect life that I completely failed to live. He died the death for my sin that certainly should have died. He rose to a spectacular new life that in no way deserve. I constantly need to be reminded.

Once we leave the starting line, the first Paul wants us to do is be good citizens. “Be submissive to rulers and authorities” (v1). Notice that he doesn’t say to do this when the leaders are good and godly. We don’t just obey folks in charge when they are the people we support and voted for. As a matter of fact, remember the historical setting of this little letter. Rome rules the Mediterranean rim with an iron fist. The infamous Nero sits on the throne. You remember Nero, don’t you? Yeah, it’s that same Nero whose favorite hobby was to torture and execute Jesus’ followers. The apostle says that the quality of the leader isn’t important. Be good citizens. Be light shiners and salt spreaders no matter who’s in charge. Just in case you think this idea was limited to folks living on the island of Crete, Paul told his friends living in the capital city the very same thing (Rom 13:1-7). So did his buddy Peter (1Pet 2:13-17). And this is a guy that Nero eventually crucified upside down. 

Are you looking for loopholes? Are you cheating on your taxes? Are you blowing off the speed limit and blowing the doors off the cars on the interstate? God calls us to obey the law. One of the best ways for us to spread the message of Jesus is by being good citizens. The runner in the race can’t cheat and still win. You don’t leave the blocks early. You don’t cut across the infield. You don’t knock down the other competitors. You race and follow the rules. Be obedient. Do what you’re told. Run the race with integrity. Be a good citizen.

Runners, on your mark. Set.

Paul tells Titus to remind folks “to be ready for every good work” (v1). He uses the Greek word hetoimos, which means healthy, fit, and prepared. The term has a sense of certainty and anticipation. We’re to be stoked and excited for what’s about to happen. A runner is ripped and ready for the race. Training has prepped the athlete for this very moment. The moment the starter pulls the trigger, we explode from the blocks for “every good work” (v1). This is one of six times in this letter that the apostle tells the Big T about the importance of Christ’s followers doing good works. False teachers disqualify themselves from doing them (Titus 1:16). Jesus saved us as His personally prized possession to be on fire for doing good stuff and God stuff (Titus 2:14). A huge part of Titus’ assignment is to teach believers “to devote themselves to good works” (Titus 3:8, 14). 

This is actually one of Paul’s favorite phrases. He uses it in several different notes to various churches and friends. God drenches us in His grace in every moment of everyday so that we “may abound in every good work” (2Cor 9:8). The apostle prayed that the Christ followers in Colosse would be so overflowing in their relationship with our Savior that they would be “bearing fruit in every good work” (Col 1:10). When we pursue the holy purpose of God in are lives, we’re like the good china used only for special occasions like Thanksgiving, “ready for every good work” (2Tim 2:21). God gives us His Word to prep us and train us “for every good work” (2Tim 3:17).

But remember that we only do good works and God works because of the ultimate work of Jesus. It’s why He screamed from the cross, “It is finished!” (Jn 20:30). The work of our rescue was over. Done. Complete. There’s nothing more we need to do. We can’t add to what He’s done. There’s not one stinkin’ thing we can do to stay saved. But what we can do are good works and God works that bring Him glory and shine His light to a lost and dying world. Once we know who Jesus is, what He’s done, and who we are in Him, we can run the race of life knowing what to do.

Runners, on your mark. Set. BANG!