If we study Paul’s letter to Titus, we can see that integrity can change society. The new believer’s neighbors would wonder why they didn’t join in with the temple prostitutes or get drunk with them in the pagan temples. People will be watching and wondering. Are these Christians just some strange society against Caeser? Do they hold wild parties in secret? Will they be a social nuisance? The Christian’s newfound morals will make others wonder why. If these new believers can live with integrity, they will make the Gospel attractive.
What About the Oppression of Women and Slavery?
Titus was to train the new believers to live out their faith. Twenty-first-century readers may be disappointed to see Titus urge the young women to be obedient wives and mothers and the slaves to be good slaves. Shouldn’t Christians stand against the ills of society?
During the time of Titus, the only two options for young women were marriage and motherhood or prostitution. Slaves were a fact of life in the Roman Empire. I think Paul and Titus wanted these new believers to work within the social structures of the time to do what was possible against abuses. Neither the place of women nor slavery are issues that change quickly. Yet, by living out their faith, they could begin to chip away and undermine these social structures.
Paul sees all believers as equals. Galatians 3: 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.[1] Paul wanted Titus to teach these slaves to live out their faith by being excellent slaves. Titus 2: 9 Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back 10 or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.[2] If a slave’s conduct could influence an unbelieving slave owner to take a second look at the Gospel, that slave owner might become a believer. Then the slave owner might begin to impact other slave owners. This was how to chip away at the slavery issue.
How Should We Change Society?
First of all, what is the message that we send to society as believers? Is our behavior good advertising for the teachings of Jesus? Or do unbelievers around us think we are troublemakers and want to get rid of us? We must walk the talk of our faith and live out our doctrine with integrity.
As we do so, we first work within the system as we can, then respectfully protest against abuses within the system. When progress is made there, we can join others to protest against the system. Remember, it takes time to change social structures because new ones need to be invented to replace the old ones.
To learn how integrity can change society, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/lead-with-integrity
[1-2] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.