It’s understandable why some people feel let down, worried and fearful amid a chaotic culture.
With the news cycle and the politics of the day highlighting and perpetuating dysfunction, there’s a statistic that emerged this week that should actually give us all hope: 90 percent of Americans believe politicians “should display peace, kindness, gentleness and self-control.”
Yes, you read that correctly. The vast majority of the country wants to see its politicians exhibit biblical elements collectively known as the “fruit of the Spirit.”
The data, which comes from the State of the Bible survey, also presented a more troubling reality: only 26 percent of Americans believe politicians are currently living out these values.
This should be a show-stopping moment for all of us.
As Americans continue to battle one another over ideological differences, we are called to be better; sadly, too many of us rebuff that call. A friend reminded me about Titus 3 today—a text the apostle Paul wrote to his friend, Titus—and its message is convicting (particularly Titus 3:1-11, NIV).
Read the following verses, reflect on where we are as a culture, consider your own role in either helping or hurting the chaos—and let’s all commit to be better:
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Side note: I wrote about the fruit of the Spirit extensively last week—and even recorded a podcast on the subject. So, it’s a welcome development to see so many Americans wanting to observe positive, biblical elements be lived out in the lives and careers of their elected officials.
For more encouragement, be sure to follow and subscribe to “The Billy Hallowell Podcast” as well as the Pure Flix Insider blog. {eoa}
Billy Hallowell is a journalist, author and the director of communications and content for PureFlix.com. He’s also the former senior editor at Faithwire.com and the former faith and culture editor at TheBlaze.
This article originally appeared at pathufind.com.
