Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

The Holy Spirit is leading me to remind believers of God’s civility expectations.

Today’s scripture, Titus 3:1-5 (NLT), says…
[1] Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. [2] They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. [3] Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. [4] But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, [5] he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Consider…
This past weekend there was yet another senseless tragedy related to disagreement or disappointment with government officials. In my home state of Minnesota, a lawmaker and her husband were killed, and the perpetrator tried to kill at least three other lawmakers. Fortunately, he was unable to engage two of the three, however he was able to shoot and wound the third lawmaker and his wife. Fortunately, this lawmaker’s home is where the Police were able to interrupt this evil murderous plot. 43 hours later the killer was apprehended.

I don’t believe in espousing political opinions or beliefs, because I am governed by the King and His Kingdom rules. Matthew 6:33 (NLT) is the Preamble to the Kingdom constitution…
[33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

After the perpetrator was apprehended, my sister texted me…
Amen thankful that they got him even though hate took 2 people lives and 2 in recovery. We just need to continue to pray for eyes to be open and hearts to be soften. Kingdom building.

To which I responded…
“I would add, ears to be tuned into God’s voice.

❤️ Kingdom building

You also just made me think that we need to simply pray the opening of the Lord’s prayer…

Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven”

The Holy Spirit showed me that people have always obsessed over man’s law. Indeed even religious people obsess over the interpretation of, and obedience to God’s law.

Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of the Apostle Paul’s words in Galatians 5:4-6 (NLT)…
[4] For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. [5] But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. [6] For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

God wants us to live by His Spirit, not according to the law.

Ironically, if we live by the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) says…
[22] But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Notice the Holy Spirit produces behavior in our lives that exceeds all laws.

1 Peter 2:11-17 (NLT) expounds…
[11] Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. [12] Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. [13] For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, [14] or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. [15] It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. [16] For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. [17] Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.

God isn’t interested in our opinions, He wants our obedience to Him and His ways.

Speaking of obedience, notice what Jesus said in Matthew 5:44-45 (NLT)…
[44] But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! [45] In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

Notice, Jesus explicitly says we must love our enemies and pray for our persecutors. He continues, that’s how God’s children should act!

Just one chapter earlier Jesus said in Matthew 5:9 (NLT)…
[9] God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

To be clear, God blesses peacemakers, not warmongers.

The Holy Spirit just showed me something transformational. Romans 12:2 (NLT) instructs…
[2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

The remaining verses of chapter 12 focuses on our Godly conduct towards others.

That’s when the Holy Spirit connected scripture that I have routinely quoted separately.

Romans 12:17-21 (NLT) closes with…
[17] Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. [18] Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. [19] Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. [20] Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” [21] Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Prominent in a believers manifesto must be…
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Today, God wants His children to remember that He expects, requires us to do good regardless!

It’s okay to disagree with what you see, but the Holy Spirit reminds, you walk by faith, not by sight.

So in your faith walk, regardless of the evil all around, do good for God’s sake!

Bonus thought: Rather than focusing on who and what we stand against, how about we lovingly focus on Who and what we stand for, the King of kings and His Kingdom!

Today’s song is…
What The World Needs Now

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)