Add correct line breaks, correct capitalisation, correct punctuation, correct Australian English spelling, and correct KJV Bible verse quotations and references to my paragraphs where applicable. But do NOT — I repeat — do NOT alter or change ANY words from my paragraphs under ALL circumstances.

How Can You Witness For God More Effectively As Good Citizens? (Titus 3:1-3)

[10:00] Introduction [14:19] I. Remember our duty to submit to the authority [14:56] Reminder is necessary [16:00] Submit to authority despite disagreement [19:45] Jesus submitted to authority [22:10] God's command is supreme over all authorities [29:23] Why obey authorities? [31:33] II. Remember to bear our Christian testimony [34:28] Never speak evil of our leaders [37:09] Don’t fight with leaders [38:26] Show meekness to all [39:58] III. Remember our former condition [44:04] Those were the days before our conversion [46:44] Jesus our great example [50:17] Closing prayer

How Can You Witness For God More Effectively As Good Citizens? (Titus 3:1-3)

[10:00]

I greet all of you in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We are studying through the book of Titus, and we have come to Titus 3:1–3. Allow me to read for you Titus 3:1–3: "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another." The Lord bless the reading of His holy and sacred Word.

In Titus chapter 1, we learn about this person named Titus, who was left in Crete. He was given a whole lot of responsibilities. He must ordain elders in every city. But first, he must deal with the qualifications of those elders before ordaining them, then, he must deal with the false teachers. In chapter 2, Paul gave the picture of a spiritually healthy church and the things that Titus ought to teach the members in the church, beginning with the aged men, aged women, young men, young women, and the servants. When it comes to chapter 3, he turned his attention to the manner in which Christians ought to live their lives in this world.

Today, we are living in a pagan society by and large. Some people profess to believe in God, and some may still attend certain religious practices or services, but most do not want to commit to what Christianity is. Their thinking and practices have become so secular. God does not want us to conform to the pattern of this world, and this is what Titus chapter 3 is dealing with. God has given us specific instructions on how we ought to live our lives in this pagan society. Jesus calls us to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13–14), and our lives are to be centred in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps if I were to give you an outline of the book of Titus, it will go something like this:

• Chapter1 is about the gospel and Christian leadership;
• Chapter 2 is about the gospel in the church; and
• Chapter 3 is about the gospel in the world.

It is all about the gospel. The Apostle Paul began by saying, "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates." (Titus 3:1a) It means to remind the people to submit to the governing authorities. The title of our message is, ‘How Can You Witness for God More Effectively as Good Citizens?’

[14:19] I. Remember our duty to submit to the authority

There are three points in our message. Firstly, we must remember our duty to submit to the authorities. When Paul says, "Put them in mind",—or remind them—obviously it was not something new. He had already taught them in the past. They knew their responsibilities living in a pagan society, but they needed to be reminded.

Parents always remind their children about certain things, like before crossing the road they have to look left and right for oncoming vehicles. And children would often respond by saying, ‘Yes, we already know that. You have reminded us so many times.’ But parents would reply, ‘Yes, I know you have heard that many times, but I also know you always forget.’ Indeed, as humans, we always forget. It is the duty of pastors and preachers to constantly remind the people of the Word of God. And here, Titus reminded the people once again of their duties to submit to the governing authorities.

When Paul wrote this letter, we have to understand the kind of government that was in control at that time. The people were living under the Romans' rule, and the Roman government was a pagan government who persecuted the Christians. And how should the people respond to such a government? They were to be subject, which means to submit.

In our Sunday school, our children have their own favourite Bible stories. They love the story of Moses and the ten plagues, Daniel in the lion's den, Esther and Mordecai, and how they saved the whole Jewish population, Jonah and the Ninevites, Paul and the Philippian jailer, etc. But when we ask them this question: apart from being believers of the one living and true God, what do all these people have in common? Moses, Daniel, Esther, Mordecai, Jonah, and Paul?

The answer should be: all of them were ministering in a time and in a place where they were a minority. All of them were living in a time and in a place where the vast majority of the people, including the governing authorities, did not believe God. Only in the case of Daniel, who had a few friends who stood by him, but others like Jonah and Joseph were all by themselves, living by faith in a secular world. Yet, they were the light and the salt of the earth. Dear friend, what about for us? How have we lived our lives in this secular world? By faith, obeying the commandments of God, or are we living like the rest of the world?

Believers must submit to the governing authority. We may not like what the prime minister is doing. We may not agree with the decisions he makes. We may not like the things being discussed and approved in the parliament, like the educational system, the human rights issue, the raising of taxes, and so forth. It doesn't matter whether we like it or not, whether we agree with it or not. It doesn't matter whether the governing authority is Caesar, King Herod, Pilate, Donald Trump, or Albanese. As citizens of this nation that God has sovereignly placed us in, we are to submit.

One of the best examples in the Bible about submitting to the governing authority was none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. In Matthew chapter 22, the Pharisees were trying to trap Him, so they asked Him, ‘Is it lawful to give taxes to Caesar or not?’ (Matthew 22:17) If Jesus were to say it is lawful to give taxes to Caesar, then all the Jews would hate Him because they hated Caesar. They hated the taxation system. If He were to say it is not lawful, then the Pharisees would report Him to the Romans. One way or another, they thought they had trapped Him. But our Lord Jesus is omniscient. “But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?—Whose image and name is inscribed on it?—They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:18–21).

And so, our Lord Jesus paid His taxes. (Matthew 17:24-27) And what do you think the Romans would do with the money? Most certainly, it was not used for things that glorified God or were pleasing to Him. But it didn't matter. Jesus still subjected Himself to pay His taxes. Are we better than Christ, the Son of God, in that He was willing to submit Himself, and we are not willing to do so? God forbid!

We are to obey the authority, but there is one exception: when we ought not to obey the authority. That is when they want us to do something the Bible forbids us to do or not to do something the Bible commands us to do.

The best illustration is given in Acts chapter 5, when Peter and the other apostles were told not to preach and teach Christ, and their response was, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). If there comes a point in time where this nation turns against God and tells the church not to do what the Bible says, then we ought to obey God rather than men. And we ask the Lord to give us the strength and courage to face the consequence, be it prison or death. But very seldom, by the grace of God, we are told to do things contrary to the Word of God.

I remember many years ago, in the 70s or early 80s, the Singapore government wanted to clean up the beaches or seashores because they were filled with debris. They wanted all the churches to participate in the cleaning movement on Sunday.

Our church founding pastor, the late Reverend Dr. Tow, was in Singapore at that time, and he wrote to the government and said, ‘Sunday is the Lord's day, and it is the day we Christians worship our God. If you want to have it on any other days of the week, we are happy to participate, but not on Sundays.’ The government not only agreed but even published his letter in the official newspaper in Singapore, which was The Straits Times. That is a wonderful testimony of a believer who was willing to submit to the governing authority but not at the expense of his Christian faith.

We are also to perform good works, and this must come with an attitude of willingness. We must not grit our teeth and pay our taxes. We must not obey the authority grudgingly. ‘What to do? They are the government.’ No, we are going to do it willingly, not reluctantly.

One of the things that set the Christian apart from the unbeliever is this eagerness to do good works. It is this goodness that demonstrates our transformation, that there is this supernatural inner work inside us—our new life in Christ. Christians are to be known in the society for their goodness, for their good works.

1 Peter 2:13–15 says, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." Here, the Bible is telling us that it is the will of God that believers submit to the governing authorities.

We must understand that God has a purpose in all things, and He works in and through those authorities He has placed above us. Yes, there may be kings, presidents, and governors, but we must not forget that if God does not permit, they will not be there. He is in control of all things, including placing those authorities in their places for a sovereign purpose.

If we want to know the will of God for our lives, the authority that God has placed above us plays an important part, whether it be our government, our church leaders, our parental authority, or our bosses at work. Nothing happens by chance or coincidence. It is by God's appointment and His providence.

If our relationship with them is not right, how can we know His will? Because God may show His will through the authorities He has placed in our lives. How can you and I disobey this command when God clearly says in His Word, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God" (1 Peter 2:13–15)?

In Romans chapter 13, God gave us six reasons why we must submit to the authority:

1. The government is ordained by God. Romans 13:1 says, "For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."
2. When we resist the authority, we are resisting God. Verse 2 says, "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God."
3. The offenders will be punished. "They that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."
4. The government is empowered to restrain evil. Verse 3 says, "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same." God has given the government the right to exercise capital punishment—that is what bearing the sword means.
5. The government is designed to promote good. Verse 4 says, "For he is the minister of God to thee for good."
6. And finally, we submit to the government for our conscience' sake. "Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake" (Romans 13:5).

The whole point is that God has ordained the government in its place. It is the will of God that we submit to the authority, and you and I must remember this duty.

II. Remember to bear our Christian testimony

Our second point is to remember to bear our Christian testimony. Look at Titus 3:2, "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men." What is the goal of our Christian life in this pagan society? Our goal is not trying to impact the society by changing their moral values or social values or even family values, however bad those values may be. Our main goal is in people getting saved.

The church has one mission, and that is to reach out to the world with the gospel because we are fully convinced that without the gospel, souls will be eternally lost. Our mission is to point the people to God. It doesn't matter if the people die under a communist regime or a democratic country. It doesn't matter whether the people die as a policeman or a beggar in the street. We all know without Jesus Christ, they end up in the same place the Bible calls hell.

So, it is not about human rights. It is not the time to argue over values and systems. That is not the issue. The real issue is salvation. If we want to see our society transformed, we have to preach Christ. Only He alone can transform their lives. But our preaching must be accompanied with our good Christian testimonies. It is our testimony that makes our message believable. If we do not live what we preach, whatever we preach will be counterproductive. The people will conclude that your God is not a God who saves sinners and transforms them because, most certainly, He did not transform you.

Look at your life. If we are going to preach and testify of God's saving power, we must first make it manifest in our lives. That is why verse 2 reminds us to bear a good testimony. "To speak evil" is from where we get the English word for ‘blaspheme,’ which means to slander or to treat with contempt. We must not blaspheme anyone. Yes, we must confront sin. When we confront the sinner of his sins, we call the sinner to repentance, but we must never speak evil or blaspheme against the person.

It is so sad that a lot of people are doing that to the leaders. Many of our leaders, our ministers in the parliament, our superiors, and bosses at work are unbelievers. And how do we expect the unbelievers to live and behave but in an unconverted way, right? So, it is absolutely not acceptable to blaspheme them. That is not the Christian's approach.

What is the Christian's approach? It is found in 1 Timothy 2:1: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." And out of all men, Paul continued, "For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." So, instead of speaking evil of our leaders, we have to pray for them. We pray that God will save them and work in their lives. I submit to you that very seldom we pray for our leaders. More often than not, we blaspheme them. God knows, and may the Lord forgive us.

We are “to be no brawlers”, which means we are not to be contentious, not to quarrel and fight with the leaders. It is so easy to get angry when we hear that our taxes are being raised or our rights are being denied or the things in our neighbourhood are not working well. We get so frustrated with those things, but we must not fight.

And one way we can do that is to constantly remind ourselves that we are just pilgrims on this earth. This is a temporal world. This world is not our home. We are just passing through. And as we pass through the different stages of life, by the grace of God, along the way, we reach out and touch some lives through the transforming, saving power of the gospel.

We are to be “gentle”, which means peaceable, considerate, and forbearing. Tensions around us may be running high. People around us may be unhappy with the authorities. They are murmuring and complaining about the government, but we are not to make matters worse by adding to the flames of fire. A believer is to heal the wounds, not deepen the wounds; to preserve peace, not destroy peace. So, we have to be gentle.

We are to show meekness unto all men. This word was used in the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12). It means to be humble. Christians do not fight for their rights or for any political agenda or for a place in society. They are meek. They just want to live for Jesus Christ. They just want to trust Him and commit their lives to Him. And we apply this principle not only in the church or in our homes but for everyone in the world.

III. Remember our former condition

Our final point is: remember our former condition. Look at Titus 3:3, "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another."

Before we start to slander the authorities, before we get angry with the system, before we attack the ungodly and the unsaved, Paul says, ‘Remember, we were once like them.’ Before his conversion, Paul was a persecutor of the Christians. He was a blasphemer until the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3–6). So, in 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul says, “by the grace of God I am what I am". We say the same thing about ourselves: by the grace of God, we are what we are.

Today, when we consider the foolishness of this world—how people spend their entire life pursuing after the things of this world, yet nothing they can carry out of this world—it is so vain. And then we realise that they are just like us. We were once foolish.

Today, when we consider the disobedience of this world—how people rebel against the authorities, how they disobey God, how they mock and reject His Word—we realise that they are just like us. We were once disobedient.

Today, when we consider the deception in this world—how people are led astray, no matter how educated or how many PhDs they have, they can be so scholarly and yet so blind, ignorant, and darkened in their minds—when we see that, we realise that they are just like us. We were once living in deception.

Today, when we consider the sins of this world—whether it be the gay movement, the homosexual parades, people indulging in all kinds of vices, tearing one another down to promote themselves, and the stories we hear of the sexual immoralities happening in the parliament—it is so terrible that men who have been given such authority yet do not have the capacity to live a moral life. And then we remember: they are just like us. We were once foolish, disobedient, living in deception, and in terrible sins.

More than 30 years ago, I finished my national service in Singapore. At that time, I was an unbeliever. Ever since then, for the past 30 years, every year, our army platoon would celebrate with a gathering to remember our army days. Sometimes, when I look at them, I will quietly laugh in my heart because they are still so rough, still so vulgar, worldly, and naughty. And then I'll say in my heart, ‘Why are they behaving like that at this age?’

Until one day, when I attended one of the gatherings, and one of my sons happened to join us because we were in Singapore at that time, one of my army platoon mates said to me, ‘Remember those were the days.’ I said, ‘Of course.’ And then he said, ‘And you were the worst amongst us.’ That was like a slap to my face. It is so easy for me to forget my former self and then start to critique them, start to point at their mistakes. Indeed, all of us, if not for the grace of God, we would be just like them.

Before we speak evil against anyone, remember we were just like them. Even if we were saved at a very young age, but nonetheless, we were just as depraved as anyone else. We could not save ourselves. Yes, they are rebellious; they are disobedient. But their lives remind us of our former selves. If not for the grace of God who cast His eyes upon us, we would have been lost.

When our Lord Jesus looked at the people, He did not mock them. He did not speak evil against them. But He looked at them sadly because they were on their way to hell, and they could not do anything out of their depraved hearts. That was why, when Jesus entered into the city of Jerusalem, He wept over the city (Luke 19:41-44). That was why Jesus sat at the well and waited patiently for the Samaritan woman to run all the way to the city and bring the lost souls to Him (John 4:28-30). And when the disciples asked Him to eat, He said to them, "My meat”—my work, and my food—”is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34).

Dear friend, can we look at the people around us—the nation, the authorities—and weep for them? Can we look at the harvest field and cry for the lost souls? If we cannot, just remember: we were once like them. We cannot change this pagan society we are living in. In fact, it is getting from bad to worse.

Perhaps, in the past, we have been complaining about the authorities. We have been speaking evil of them. We have not submitted to them. Even when we submit to them, we are reluctant. We are always fighting. We are not gentle. But what about today? Is there a difference now that we are Christians? Do the people around us know that we are Christians? Have we been submissive, obedient, gentle, and kind? Have we been a good testimony to the glory of God? How can you and I be a good witness for the Almighty God?

To be effective in witnessing to others as good citizens, if you have forgotten whatever I've said, remember these three points:

• by remembering our duty to submit to the authority,
• by remembering to bear our Christian testimonies before the unbelieving world, and
• by remembering our former condition.

It is by the grace of God that we are what we are today. Let us pray.

Our Father in heaven, we thank You for this opportunity for us to consider a portion of Thy Word. We want to be Thy people, to live for Thy glory. We want others to know that Thou art a powerful God, a God who loves sinners, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Thou who hast saved us from eternal damnation, it is by Thy grace that we are what we are today.

May Thou also use us as an instrument to bring many more into Thy kingdom. And wherever Thou hast placed us, and whatever authorities that Thou hast placed above us, we know that it is by Thy providence. And we submit for the Lord's sake, and we know that it is the will of God, and it is Thy will that we live a good Christian testimony before this pagan society. May Thou use us to be the salt and the light of this world, to the glory of Thy precious name. We pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Chinese Translation by DeepSeek:

我以我们主和救主耶稣基督的圣名问候大家。我们正在学习《提多书》，今天来到《提多书》3:1-3。请允许我为大家读出《提多书》3:1-3：“你要提醒众人，叫他们顺服作官的、掌权的，遵他的命，预备行各样的善事。不要毁谤，不要争竞，总要和平，向众人大显温柔。我们从前也是无知、悖逆、受迷惑、服事各样私欲和宴乐，常存恶毒嫉妒的心，是可恨的，又是彼此相恨。”愿主祝福祂神圣话语的宣读。

在《提多书》第一章，我们了解到提多这个人，他被留在克里特岛。他被赋予了许多责任。他必须在各城设立长老，但在设立之前，他必须先处理这些长老的资格问题。然后，他还要对付那些假教师。在第二章，保罗描绘了一个属灵健康的教会，并教导提多应当教导教会中的成员，包括年长的男人、年长的女人、年轻的男人、年轻的女人以及仆人。到了第三章，他将注意力转向基督徒在这个世界中应当如何生活。

今天，我们生活在一个大体上属于异教的社会。有些人自称相信上帝，有些人可能仍然参加某些宗教活动或仪式，但大多数人并不愿意委身于基督教。他们的思想和行为已经变得如此世俗。上帝不希望我们效法这个世界的模式，而这正是《提多书》第三章所讨论的内容。上帝已经给了我们具体的指示，教导我们如何在这个异教社会中生活。耶稣呼召我们成为世界的光和地上的盐，我们的生活应当以耶稣基督的福音为中心。

如果我要为你们概述《提多书》的内容，可以这样总结：第一章是关于福音和基督教领导力；第二章是关于福音在教会中的应用；第三章是关于福音在世界中的见证。这一切都是关于福音的。使徒保罗一开始就说：“你要提醒众人，叫他们顺服作官的、掌权的。”这意味着要提醒人们顺服执政掌权的。我们今天信息的标题是：“如何作为好公民更有效地为上帝作见证？”

我们的信息中有三个要点。首先，我们必须记住顺服执政掌权的责任。当保罗说“你要提醒众人”或“提醒他们”时，显然这并不是什么新鲜事。他过去已经教导过他们。他们知道自己在异教社会中的责任，但他们需要被提醒。父母总是提醒孩子们某些事情，比如过马路前要左右看看有没有车辆。孩子们通常会回答说：“是的，我们已经知道了。你已经提醒我们很多次了。”但父母会回答说：“是的，我知道你们已经听过很多次了，但我也知道你们总是忘记。”确实，作为人类，我们总是忘记。牧师和传道人的职责就是不断提醒人们神的道。在这里，提多再次提醒人们要顺服执政掌权的责任。

当保罗写这封信时，我们必须了解当时掌权的政府是什么样的。人们生活在罗马的统治下，而罗马政府是一个迫害基督徒的异教政府。那么，人们应该如何回应这样的政府呢？他们要顺服，也就是要服从。在我们的主日学中，孩子们有他们最喜欢的圣经故事。他们喜欢摩西和十诫的故事，但以理在狮子坑中的故事，以斯帖和末底改如何拯救整个犹太民族的故事，约拿和尼尼微人的故事，保罗和腓立比狱卒的故事，等等。但当我们问他们这个问题时：除了相信独一永活的真神之外，这些人有什么共同点？摩西、但以理、以斯帖、末底改、约拿和保罗？答案应该是：他们都在一个少数派的环境中服事。他们都生活在一个绝大多数人，包括执政掌权者，都不信神的地方。只有但以理有几个朋友支持他，但像约拿和约瑟这样的人都是独自一人，在世俗的世界中凭信心生活。然而，他们是世界的光和地上的盐。亲爱的朋友，我们呢？我们在这个世俗的世界中是如何生活的？是凭信心，遵守神的诫命，还是像世人一样生活？信徒必须顺服执政掌权的。

我们可能不喜欢总理的所作所为。我们可能不同意他的决定。我们可能不喜欢议会中讨论和通过的事情，比如教育制度、人权问题、税收的增加等等。无论我们是否喜欢，是否同意，这都不重要。无论执政掌权的是凯撒、希律王、彼拉多、特朗普还是阿尔巴尼斯，作为神主权安置在这个国家的公民，我们都应当顺服。圣经中关于顺服执政掌权的最好例子之一就是我们的主耶稣基督。在马太福音第22章，法利赛人试图陷害祂，于是问祂：“纳税给凯撒可以不可以？”如果耶稣说“可以纳税给凯撒”，那么所有的犹太人都会恨祂，因为他们恨凯撒。他们恨税收制度。如果祂说“不可以”，那么法利赛人就会向罗马人告发祂。无论如何，他们认为他们已经把祂逼到了绝境。但我们的主耶稣是全知的。“耶稣看出他们的恶意，就说：‘假冒为善的人哪，为什么试探我？拿一个上税的钱给我看。’他们就拿一个银钱来给祂。耶稣说：‘这像和这号是谁的？’他们说：‘是凯撒的。’耶稣说：‘这样，凯撒的物当归给凯撒；神的物当归给神。’”（马太福音22:18-21）于是，我们的主耶稣交了税。你认为罗马人会怎么用这笔钱？当然，这些钱并没有用于荣耀神或讨祂喜悦的事情。但这并不重要。耶稣仍然顺服地交了税。我们难道比神的儿子基督更好吗？祂愿意顺服，而我们却不愿意这样做吗？神禁止！我们要顺服掌权者，但有一个例外：当他们要求我们做圣经禁止的事情，或不让我们做圣经命令的事情时，我们不应顺服。

最好的例子在使徒行传第5章，当彼得和其他使徒被告知不可传讲和教导基督时，他们的回答是：“顺从神，不顺从人，是应当的。”（使徒行传5:29）如果有一天这个国家违背神，告诉教会不要按照圣经行事，那么我们就应当顺从神，而不是人。我们求主赐给我们力量和勇气去面对后果，无论是监禁还是死亡。但感谢神的恩典，我们很少被要求做违背神的话语的事情。我记得很多年前，在70年代或80年代初，新加坡政府想要清理海滩或海岸，因为它们充满了垃圾。他们希望所有教会在周日参与清理活动。我们教会的创始牧师，已故的杜博士，当时在新加坡，他写信给政府说：“周日是主日，是我们基督徒敬拜神的日子。如果你们想在一周中的其他日子进行，我们很乐意参与，但不是在周日。”政府不仅同意了，甚至还在新加坡的官方报纸《海峡时报》上刊登了他的信。这是一个信徒愿意顺服执政掌权者，但又不牺牲基督教信仰的美好见证。

我们也要行善，这必须带着愿意的态度。我们不要咬牙切齿地交税。我们不要勉强地顺服掌权者。“怎么办呢？他们是政府。”不，我们要心甘情愿地去做，而不是勉强。基督徒与非信徒的区别之一就是这种行善的热心。这种良善展示了我们的转变，表明我们里面有超自然的内在改变——我们在基督里的新生命。基督徒应当因他们的良善和善行在社会中为人所知。彼得前书2:13-15说：“你们为主的缘故，要顺服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，或是君王所派、罚恶赏善的臣宰。因为神的旨意原是要你们行善，可以堵住那糊涂无知人的口。”这里，圣经告诉我们，信徒顺服执政掌权者是神的旨意。我们必须明白，神在一切事上都有祂的目的，祂通过那些祂安置在我们之上的掌权者工作。是的，可能有国王、总统和总督，但我们不要忘记，如果神不允许，他们就不会在那里。祂掌管一切，包括为了祂的主权目的将那些掌权者安置在他们的位置上。

如果我们想知道神对我们生命的旨意，神安置在我们之上的掌权者起着重要的作用，无论是我们的政府、教会领袖、父母权威，还是我们的上司。没有什么是偶然或巧合发生的。一切都是神的安排和祂的护理。如果我们与他们的关系不对，我们如何知道祂的旨意？因为神可能通过祂安置在我们生命中的掌权者显明祂的旨意。当神在祂的话语中清楚地说：“你们为主的缘故，要顺服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，或是君王所派、罚恶赏善的臣宰。因为神的旨意原是要你们行善”（彼得前书2:13-15），我们怎么能违背这命令呢？

在我们罗马书第13章的回应阅读中，神给了我们六个为什么我们必须顺服掌权者的理由。第一：政府是神所设立的。罗马书13:1说：“在上有权柄的，人人当顺服他；因为没有权柄不是出于神的，凡掌权的都是神所命的。”第二：当我们抗拒掌权者时，我们就是在抗拒神。第2节说：“所以抗拒掌权的，就是抗拒神的命；抗拒的必自取刑罚。”第三：违抗者将受到惩罚。“抗拒的必自取刑罚。”第四：政府被赋予权力来遏制罪恶。第3节说：“作官的原不是叫行善的惧怕，乃是叫作恶的惧怕。你愿意不惧怕掌权的吗？你只要行善，就可得他的称赞。”神赋予了政府行使死刑的权力——这就是“佩剑”的含义。第五：政府是为了促进善而设立的。第4节说：“因为他是神的用人，是与你有益的。”最后，我们顺服政府是为了良心的缘故。“所以你们必须顺服，不但是因为刑罚，也是因为良心。”（罗马书13:5）整个重点是，神设立了政府。顺服掌权者是神的旨意，我们必须记住这一责任。

我们的第二点是要记住持守基督徒的见证。请看第2节：“不要毁谤，不要争竞，总要和平，向众人大显温柔。”（提多书3:2）在这个异教社会中，我们基督徒生活的目标是什么？我们的目标不是通过改变社会的道德价值观、社会价值观甚至家庭价值观来影响社会，无论这些价值观多么糟糕。我们的主要目标是让人得救。教会有一个使命，那就是向世界传扬福音，因为我们深信，没有福音，灵魂将永远失丧。我们的使命是指引人归向神。无论人们是在共产主义政权下死去，还是在民主国家中死去；无论他们是作为警察还是街头的乞丐死去，我们都知道，没有耶稣基督，他们最终都会去到圣经所说的地狱。所以，这不是关于人权的问题。现在不是争论价值观和制度的时候。这不是问题的核心。真正的问题是救恩。如果我们希望看到社会转变，我们必须传讲基督。只有祂才能改变他们的生命。但我们的传讲必须伴随着我们美好的基督徒见证。正是我们的见证使我们的信息可信。如果我们不活出我们所传讲的，无论我们传讲什么，都会适得其反。人们会得出结论说，你的神不是一个拯救罪人并改变他们的神，因为很显然，祂没有改变你。看看你的生活。如果我们要传讲并见证神的拯救大能，我们必须首先在我们的生活中显明这一点。这就是为什么第2节提醒我们要持守美好的见证。

“毁谤”一词在英文中与“亵渎”同源，意思是诽谤或轻蔑对待。我们不可亵渎任何人。是的，我们必须面对罪。当我们面对罪人的罪时，我们呼召罪人悔改，但我们绝不可毁谤或亵渎那个人。令人难过的是，许多人正在对领袖们这样做。许多我们的领袖、议会的部长、我们的上司和工作中的老板都是不信主的人。我们怎么能期望不信主的人以非信徒的方式生活和行为呢？所以，亵渎他们是绝对不可接受的。这不是基督徒的做法。基督徒的做法是什么？它记载在《提摩太前书》2:1：“我劝你第一要为万人恳求、祷告、代求、祝谢。”在所有人中，保罗继续说：“为君王和一切在位的，也要如此，使我们可以敬虔、端正、平安无事地度日。”（提摩太前书2:2）所以，与其毁谤我们的领袖，我们必须为他们祷告。我们祈求神拯救他们并在他们的生命中动工。我向你们承认，我们很少为我们的领袖祷告。更多时候，我们亵渎他们。神知道，愿主赦免我们。

我们不可争竞，这意味着我们不可好斗，不可与领袖争吵和争斗。当我们听到税收增加、权利被剥夺或我们社区的事情不顺利时，很容易生气。我们对这些事情感到非常沮丧，但我们不可争斗。我们可以通过不断提醒自己，我们只是这世上的客旅，来做到这一点。这是一个暂时的世界。这个世界不是我们的家。我们只是路过。当我们经过生命的不同阶段时，靠着神的恩典，我们沿途通过福音的转化和拯救大能去触及一些生命。

我们要温柔，这意味着和平、体谅和忍耐。我们周围的紧张局势可能很高。我们周围的人可能对当局不满。他们在抱怨政府，但我们不可火上浇油。信徒的任务是医治伤口，而不是加深伤口；是维护和平，而不是破坏和平。所以，我们必须温柔。我们要向众人显明温柔。这个词在《马太福音》的“八福”中被使用，意思是谦卑。基督徒不为自己的权利、政治议程或社会地位争斗。他们是温柔的。他们只想为耶稣基督而活。他们只想信靠祂，并将生命交托给祂。我们不仅在教会或家庭中应用这一原则，而且对世界上每个人都是如此。

我们的最后一点是：记住我们过去的境况。请看第3节：“我们从前也是无知、悖逆、受迷惑、服事各样私欲和宴乐，常存恶毒嫉妒的心，是可恨的，又是彼此相恨。”（提多书3:3）在我们开始毁谤掌权者、对制度发怒、攻击不敬虔和未得救的人之前，保罗说：记住，我们曾经也像他们一样。在保罗归主之前，他曾是基督徒的迫害者，是一个亵渎神的人，直到主耶稣基督在大马士革的路上向他显现。所以，在《哥林多前书》15:10，保罗说：“然而我今日成了何等人，是蒙神的恩才成的。”我们也可以这样谈论自己：靠着神的恩典，我们成了今日的我们。

当我们思考这个世界的愚昧时，看到人们如何花费一生追求世上的事物，却什么也不能带出这个世界，这是多么虚空。然后我们意识到，他们就像我们一样，我们曾经也是愚昧的。今天，当我们看到这个世界的悖逆时，看到人们如何反抗掌权者，如何违背神，如何嘲笑并拒绝祂的话语，我们意识到，他们就像我们一样，我们曾经也是悖逆的。今天，当我们看到这个世界中的欺骗时，看到人们如何被误导，无论他们受过多少教育，拥有多少博士学位，他们可能学识渊博，却在思想上如此盲目、无知和黑暗。当我们看到这些时，我们意识到，他们就像我们一样，我们曾经也活在欺骗中。

今天，当我们看到这个世界中的罪恶时，无论是同性恋运动、同性恋游行，还是人们沉溺于各种恶行，互相拆台以抬高自己，甚至我们听到议会中发生的性不道德行为，这是多么可怕。那些被赋予如此权柄的人，却没有能力过道德的生活。然后我们记住，他们就像我们一样，我们曾经也是愚昧、悖逆、活在欺骗和可怕的罪中。

30多年前，我在新加坡完成了国民服役。那时，我是一个未信主的人。从那时起，过去的30年里，每年我们的军队排都会举行聚会，纪念我们的军旅生涯。有时我看着他们，心里会暗自发笑，因为他们仍然那么粗鲁、世俗和顽皮。然后我心里会说，为什么他们在这个年纪还这样行事？直到有一天，我参加了一次聚会，我的一个儿子碰巧也加入了我们，因为那时我们在新加坡。我的一个战友对我说：“记得那些日子吗？”我说：“当然记得。”然后他说：“你是我们中最糟糕的一个。”这就像一记耳光打在我脸上。我很容易忘记自己过去的模样，然后开始批评他们，指责他们的错误。确实，我们所有人，若不是神的恩典，我们也会像他们一样。

在我们毁谤任何人之前，记住我们曾经也像他们一样。即使我们在很小的时候得救，但我们同样像其他人一样堕落，我们无法拯救自己。是的，他们是叛逆的，他们是悖逆的，但他们的生活提醒我们过去的自己。若不是神的恩典眷顾我们，我们也会迷失。当我们的主耶稣看着人们时，祂没有嘲笑他们，也没有毁谤他们，而是悲伤地看着他们，因为他们正走向地狱，而他们无法从自己堕落的心中做出任何改变。这就是为什么耶稣进入耶路撒冷城时，为城哭泣（路加福音19:41）。这就是为什么耶稣坐在井边，耐心等待撒玛利亚妇人跑回城里，把失丧的灵魂带到祂面前。当门徒请祂吃饭时，祂对他们说：“我的食物就是遵行差我来者的旨意，作成祂的工。”（约翰福音4:34）

亲爱的朋友，我们能否看着我们周围的人、国家和掌权者，为他们哭泣？我们能否看着收割的田地，为失丧的灵魂哭泣？如果我们不能，只需记住：我们曾经也像他们一样。我们无法改变我们所生活的这个异教社会。事实上，情况正变得越来越糟。也许在过去，我们一直在抱怨掌权者，毁谤他们，没有顺服他们。即使我们顺服，也是不情愿的。我们总是在争斗，不够温柔。但今天呢？我们成为基督徒后，有什么不同吗？我们周围的人知道我们是基督徒吗？我们是否顺服、温柔、善良？我们是否成为荣耀神的美好见证？如果你忘记了我所说的一切，请记住这三点：记住我们顺服掌权者的责任，记住我们在不信的世界面前持守基督徒的见证，记住我们过去的境况。靠着神的恩典，我们成了今日的我们。让我们祷告。

我们在天上的父，我们感谢祢赐给我们这个机会来思想祢的话语。我们愿意成为祢的子民，为祢的荣耀而活。我们愿别人知道祢是一位大能的神，是一位爱罪人的神，不愿一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改（彼得后书3:9）。祢拯救我们脱离了永远的灭亡，是因着祢的恩典，我们才成为今日的我们。愿祢也使用我们作为器皿，带领更多人进入祢的国度。无论祢将我们安置在何处，无论祢在我们之上设立了怎样的权柄，我们知道这都是祢的护理。我们为主的名顺服，因为我们知道这是神的旨意，也是祢的旨意，要我们在这个异教社会中活出美好的基督徒见证。愿祢使用我们成为这世上的盐和光，荣耀祢宝贵的名。我们奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。