Love, teach, and do - whether you win or lose

"H e hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" - Mic 6:8

"Our Daily Bread" had a devotion based on Titus 3:1-8, on Nov. 2 that was wonderfully insightful and profound and something I think we need to take heed of.

It was titled, "Win or Lose, Do Good." I would like to add to the title just three letters, "LTD" (love, teach, do).

Based on the outcome of the presidential election, citizens will either be glad or sad. Those who voted for the winner are likely to accept the authority of the government that was established under God. Most others will submit possibly grudgingly.

We learned in this devotion that Christians are to go beyond mere submission to the governing authorities. We are to follow biblical guidelines. Paul's writings to Titus teaches us that we are to be peaceable and considerate, and we should do good without slandering anyone.

Titus was working among believers in Crete, a place notorious for its unruly inhabitants. That in and of itself gives us good reason to say bad things, but Paul warned Christians not to do that.

Several times in this short letter, Paul mentioned the importance of doing good.

LTD: Love what is good, Teach what is good, and Do what is good.

This would be a great time for us to read this letter and be impacted by the Spirit through these words.

The devotion ended with a saying that I believe needs to be memorized by each of us Christians, "Christians can be constructive if they refuse to be destructive."

It is my deepest prayer that we, as a nation, will blend together as one and not remain polarized in the primary colors of red and blue, but that we will work toward being one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

• Pat Propster is pastor of Calvary Chapel in Carson City.