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Why We Need Old Reminders More Than New Revelations - Titus 3:1
Preface - Be sure to check out the audio version linked above.
A Verse
Titus 3:1
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work…”
A Comment
Here, in verse 1, Paul instructs Titus to “remind” his audience “to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.” Obviously, a lot could be said about the essence and extent of submission and obedience to ruling authorities in this passage, but I’m inclined to start by focusing on the initial command: remind (Greek - hypomimnēske).
Commenting on this idea of remembrance, John Stott wrote,
Remind the people (literally ‘them’), he begins, for the teaching he is about to give is not new. The churches have heard it before. But there are many warnings in Scripture of the dangers of forgetfulness, and many promises to those who remember. A bad memory was one of the main reasons for Israel’s downfall. ‘They soon forgot’, we read, and ‘they did not remember’. Jesus had to make the same complaint to the apostles: ‘Don’t you remember …?’ It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the leading apostles Paul, Peter and John in their New Testament letters all stress the importance of their reminding ministry. So all conscientious Christian teachers, once they have been delivered from the unhealthy lust for originality, take pains to make old truths new and stale truths fresh.
In an age of hunger for novel, fresh, cutting-edge ideas and so-called “revelations,” isn’t it interesting that a great deal of Christian discipleship is concerned with being reminded of truths and responsibilities that we already know but are prone to forget?
In Titus 3:1, the need was to remind the people of their obligation to submit to and obey the ruling authorities so far as they could without violating their conscience and sinning against God (Cf. Acts 5:29). Titus’ audience would have already been familiar with this admonition, but their familiarity with it did not rule out the need for them to be reminded of it.
As I think about this passage, I wonder what we need to be reminded of. Things we already know but tend to forget. Things that we willfully forget because they are inconvenient or difficult. What are the things that you need to be reminded of today?
A Prayer
Would you pray with me…
A Blessing
Grant us, O’ Lord, to remember Your deeds; yes, bless us with a remembrance of Your wonders of old. Let us ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds. (Based on Psalm 77:11-12)
Get full access to Hope for Life with Dr. Casey B. Hough at hopeforlife.substack.com/subscribe
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By Casey B. HoughPreface - Be sure to check out the audio version linked above.
A Verse
Titus 3:1
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work…”
A Comment
Here, in verse 1, Paul instructs Titus to “remind” his audience “to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.” Obviously, a lot could be said about the essence and extent of submission and obedience to ruling authorities in this passage, but I’m inclined to start by focusing on the initial command: remind (Greek - hypomimnēske).
Commenting on this idea of remembrance, John Stott wrote,
Remind the people (literally ‘them’), he begins, for the teaching he is about to give is not new. The churches have heard it before. But there are many warnings in Scripture of the dangers of forgetfulness, and many promises to those who remember. A bad memory was one of the main reasons for Israel’s downfall. ‘They soon forgot’, we read, and ‘they did not remember’. Jesus had to make the same complaint to the apostles: ‘Don’t you remember …?’ It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the leading apostles Paul, Peter and John in their New Testament letters all stress the importance of their reminding ministry. So all conscientious Christian teachers, once they have been delivered from the unhealthy lust for originality, take pains to make old truths new and stale truths fresh.
In an age of hunger for novel, fresh, cutting-edge ideas and so-called “revelations,” isn’t it interesting that a great deal of Christian discipleship is concerned with being reminded of truths and responsibilities that we already know but are prone to forget?
In Titus 3:1, the need was to remind the people of their obligation to submit to and obey the ruling authorities so far as they could without violating their conscience and sinning against God (Cf. Acts 5:29). Titus’ audience would have already been familiar with this admonition, but their familiarity with it did not rule out the need for them to be reminded of it.
As I think about this passage, I wonder what we need to be reminded of. Things we already know but tend to forget. Things that we willfully forget because they are inconvenient or difficult. What are the things that you need to be reminded of today?
A Prayer
Would you pray with me…
A Blessing
Grant us, O’ Lord, to remember Your deeds; yes, bless us with a remembrance of Your wonders of old. Let us ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds. (Based on Psalm 77:11-12)
Get full access to Hope for Life with Dr. Casey B. Hough at hopeforlife.substack.com/subscribe