Divided. Dark. 

I deleted my social media apps once again last week. The continuous influx of shootings and hate rhetoric filled my timelines. My heart felt heavy—burdened by the weight of so much bad news. At small group, I realized I wasn’t alone. Others were having heavy conversations with family members, some disagreeing so deeply that it’s severing their relationships. Suddenly, those who dislike Christians are making themselves known—proudly. Violence seems to be increasing—political parties seem more divided than ever. 

As followers of Christ, we know that we are called to be lights in a dark world. But sometimes, the darkness can feel paralyzing. How are we to be lights? What do we do?

As always, God’s Word holds our answers. Did you know that there’s a book of the Bible that was written to a man establishing a church in a dark environment? Enter Titus. 

Paul’s Letter To Titus: Shining Christ’s Light in The Dark

Titus is a book of the Bible written by Paul, to Titus, Paul’s faithful co-worker. Paul commissioned Titus to strengthen the Church on an island called Crete. However, Crete is a complicated place to build a church. It was known in the ancient world for its moral depravity. In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he even quotes one of Crete’s own prophets who says that “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1;12). Theologian Craig Keener says that “Outsiders complained that Cretans lusted for wealth, leading to violence and were deceptive…Crete also had a bad reputation for arrogance, treachery, and greed.” On paper, this place was bad news. Yet here is a place where God desires to establish and strengthen His Church. 

No environment is too dark for the gospel to shine its light. In Paul’s letter, he includes instructions for the Church on how to conduct themselves in such a sin-soaked environment. He teaches the church in Crete to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey—even when authorities beliefs are different than theirs. He instructs them to have ready hands that are quick to do a good work—to slander no one, to avoid fighting and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people (Titus 3:1–2).

Though the culture’s values were directly opposed to the Church’s, Paul instructs Christ followers to pursue kindness, gentleness, and service. 

But why? Why does Paul instruct that the Cretan church be so peaceable amongst such sin? Paul continues in Titus 3:3–7, “For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.”

Paul instructs the Cretan church to act in kindness and gentleness because Christ has offered them kindness and gentleness. Though we deserve God’s anger, we are recipients of His grace. 

Applying Paul’s Instructions

Paul encourages the Cretan church to remember what God saved them from. Apart from Christ, Christians are no better than those who are in darkness. But God’s kindness, He saved us—not by anything we’ve accomplished, but by Christ’s sacrifice. Now, we have an abundance of hope in Jesus. We have hope for today in the knowledge of God’s presence with us, and hope for tomorrow with the promise of eternity. But without Jesus, we are merely liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. Jesus is the source of all good in our lives. This posture leads us to approach others in humility. With this humility, we can enter into conversations that are not defensive, but open, honest, and caring.

How would conversations change today if we approached them in the humility that Paul instructs? How would our relationships change if we pursued kindness, gentleness, and service—even toward those we disagree with? In the midst of what sometimes feels like chaos, we can be peacemakers. Others will see Christ in us—not because our voices are the loudest, but because our posture is gentle and humble when the world is harsh. 

Being a peacemaker does not mean that you remain a bystander when the truth is slandered—but it does mean that when you do speak up, you do so in humility, gentleness, and love. In humility, because you too were once lost in sin. In gentleness, because Christ has dealt gently with you—giving you salvation and hope you do not deserve. And in love, because Christ commanded us: “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34–35). By this love, the world will know that we are Christ’s disciples. By this love, we will shine as lights in the dark. 

Notes:

1. Craig Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary.
   

Additional Resources for Shining Christ’s Light:

Behold | 4-Volume Bundle		The Bible Handbook: A Book-by-Book Guide to the Entire Bible		The Heart of Christ | Devotional		Abide Journal
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