It is common today to see Jesus described as a revolutionary. But Jesus doesn’t seem to operate as if his mission is to subvert or rail against empire or even faulty government. Instead, he calls the Jewish people to a radical love for God and each other. His interest is not in badges and the “signs” of being God’s chosen: being born of the right race (Jewish), having the rights marks or credentials (circumcised), having the right habits (washing, prayers, fasting, holy days). Instead, he offers a Father who loves all his creation, a Son who has the marks of the covenant on his own body, and a Spirit who works within us so that we might be a pleasing offering. His interest is in a living relationship with the God of their fathers, and teaching the people to be the community God had always intended.
Paul carries that same mindset. He teaches that the Christian life is not about changing the social order, or political action or the like. All of these may be appropriate in the right circumstances. But they aren’t what we’re about. The Christian life is about God’s kingdom. He has done something in us to make us a part of that kingdom. And as we learn to live with one another in real community, as we live out the love that birthed the kingdom, we see it grow and thrive around us.
Some – within the “Christian” community, even – don’t appreciate this truth much. They see Christianity as all about freeing themselves and others from political oppression, or social/economic circumstances, or about supporting the right government programs. Entire branches of theology have been invented around this premise! But taken in isolation, this is a twisted view of the healing God offers. These people have hijacked the gospel to support their own interests, however nobly those interests might be stated. The truth is more radical-but-not-revolutionary, as we see in Titus 2:
Slaves must obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but they must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
Titus 2:9-13Titus 2:9-13
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
9 Tell slaves always to please their owners by obeying them in everything. Slaves must not talk back to their owners 10 or steal from them. They must be completely honest and trustworthy. Then everyone will show great respect for what is taught about God our Savior. God's Kindness and the New Life 11 God has shown us how kind he is by coming to save all people. 12 He taught us to give up our wicked ways and our worldly desires and to live decent and honest lives in this world. 13 We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. d the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ: Or “the glorious return of our great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” or “the return of Jesus Christ, who is the glory of our great God and Savior.”
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Is Paul off his rocker? Slaves must obey their masters? Why isn’t Paul condemning slave owners or calling for liberation? The reason is that freedom is not he thing of greatest value here. God is much more interested in lives of self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God. It isn’t even about slavery! Those are just the circumstances alluded to by Paul. Every employee needs the same call, though. Just replace the words “slaves” and “masters” with “employees” and “bosses” to see what I mean: Employees must obey their bosses and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but they must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.
See it? God is interested in us living transformed lives in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. This calls for a radical faith and love, something we can’t just dream up or create within ourselves. So we have been placed within the body of Christ to help us develop; to learn the truth and allow it to seep into our thoughts and actions; to practice kindness, forgiveness, peace, and patience; to encourage one another as we go.
The church has been changing the world ever since God brought it into being. It is only natural that it has had an impact on the world, not just spiritually, but socially and politically. And it will continue to do so, until the glory of our God and Savior is revealed. But this power to change is not based on a call for social revolution. It stems from a community centered on Jesus, a community of hearts transformed and growing. It is a radical change of mind and heart, more than the revolution some have sought.
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