Introduction
In chapter 3, Paul turns his attention to the Christian’s relationship to the surrounding world. The grace of God that has appeared (2:11) in the coming of Jesus has “redeemed us from all lawlessness” and purified us to be a “people for His own possession” who are “zealous for good works.” Paul says this is one of the central purposes of the Christian life: To imitate the goodness and lovingkindness of the Lord in doing good to the unbelieving world around us. In doing so, our lives are to be living embodiments of the light of God’s presence.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16)
William Wilberforce, the great crusader against slavery in the 18th century, put it this way: “Is it not the great end of religion, and, in particular, the glory of Christianity, to extinguish the malignant passions; to curb the violence, to control the appetites, and to smooth the asperities of man; to make us compassionate and kind, and forgiving one to another; to make us good husbands, good fathers, good friends; and to render us active and useful in the discharge of the relative social and civil duties?”
As in chapter 2, Paul puts the way we are to live before the reason why.
Ready for Every Good Work
It’s easy to take offense at the way Paul says we should relate to the surrounding world. He gives seven instructions:
- Be submissive to rulers and authorities
- Be obedient
- Be ready for every good work
- Speak evil of no one
- Avoid quarrelling
- Be gentle
- Show perfect courtesy toward all
Taken as a whole, these qualities demonstrate a trust in God’s providence (Rom. 13:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-15), a desire to seek the good of the city (Jer. 29:7), a willingness to return good for evil (1 Pet. 3:9), a desire to do what is good in the sight of all (Rom. 12:17), and a desire to live at peace (Rom. 12:18). When asked to do evil, we must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29), but we should be eager to do good to others wherever possible. It’s significant that Paul isn’t quick to qualify the command to be submissive to authorities. Think of David’s example in his treatment of Saul, even when Saul sought his life (1 Sam. 24:6). Rom. 12:21 is an apt summary: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Remembering the Truth About Ourselves
Why are we to do good in this way? Vs. 3 provides a startling reason: “For we ourselves were once…” In other words, the first thing we should remember when we are looking at the world around us is that we were just like those we are called to serve.
The picture of our sinful condition is both stark and potent. There are four pairs of qualities that powerfully capture the reality of our sinful condition.
- Foolish (without spiritual understanding, Rom. 1:14; Ps. 14:1), and disobedient (rebellious, Rom. 13:2).
- Led astray and enslaved to passions and pleasures. Prov. 9:16-18: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
- Living in malice (wishing evil on others) and envy (wishing you could take away the good that has happened to others).
- Being hated and hating one another. The outcome is a snare of mimetic hatred directed toward those we were created to love.
Why is remembering this so important? Because, as with Israel, we are tempted to forget and view our redemption and its fruits as the result of our own strength (Deut. 8:11-17). Similarly, we are also tempted to see evil people as the real enemy rather than the sin that has ensnared every heart (Jer. 17:9). Despite what the zealots thought, Rome wasn’t Israel’s ultimate enemy.
Freedom to do Good
Calvin summarizes our problem well in the Institutes: “It is evident that man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he has previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself. For (such is our innate pride) we always seem to ourselves just, and upright, and wise, and holy, until we are convinced, by clear evidence, of our injustice, vileness, folly, and impurity. Convinced, however, we are not, if we look to ourselves only, and not to the Lord…He being the only standard by the application of which this conviction can be produced.”
This is why the next phrase bears a weight of such glory that our hearts have difficulty taking it in. “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us…” Notice what follows:
- Not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy. The central point Paul is making is that God’s goodness and mercy are entirely free. They are not responsive or dependent on our goodness. How could they be? All of our works demanded justice. Instead, He gives us mercy.
- He does this by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. The power that raised Jesus from the dead (Eph. 1:19-20), has recreated us in His image (2 Cor. 5:17).
- The result is that we are now sons, fellow heirs with Jesus himself.
To meet the goodness and lovingkindness of God revealed in Jesus, is to see that you are far worse than you ever feared and yet more loved and honored than you ever dared hope. When you understand this, the Lord fills your heart with a deep compassion for the world around you. Rather than recoiling in self-righteousness, His love sets you free to look for all the available ways you can do good to those who need to know the same goodness and kindness of our Savior. You are free to do good like your Father and that freedom changes the world.