 Should Christians passionately improve things on earth? Shouldn’t we focus on our eternal life, Christ coming back? Let’s learn from Titus 2:11-3:9.
We as Christians shouldn’t tie ourselves and our identity to our work on earth (v3:3). We shouldn’t be enslaved by worldly passions or addicted to things like money, personal gain, or self-fulfillment. Instead, we should look forward to our eternal life in a perfect world of justice and peace, with no sufferings (v3:5-7). Having said that, Christians shouldn’t ignore things on earth. We should be eager to do what is good, bringing glimpses of our wonderful future to earth now (v2:14; 3:1, 8). So, live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life (v2:12). Work to help human flourish. This includes helping the community; and upholding public justice and public good. For example, if we have the power, don’t withhold the good from those to whom it is due (Proverbs 3:27). But beware that we, the broken, live in a broken world. Life now isn’t black and white but is gray. Our work (e.g. practicing law, issuing stocks or bonds, or cleaning toilets) cannot be perfect. Many idealists, initially passionate to change the world, become cynical after repeated failure. In “Leaf by Niggle,” JRR Tolkien describes an artist trying to draw a great tree. Inundated by mundane chores and duties, and the need to help others, he only manages to draw a leaf before he dies. Then, before him is the great tree for him to further improve upon. Earth is full of thorns and thistles. Don’t be discouraged if you can only draw a leaf. Just do what you can. Have faith that someday, you will see our great tree and improve on it (v2:13). To conclude, by grace and through Christ’s sacrifice, we become God’s children with a glorious future. We should do good and work to bring glimpses of our wonderful future to earth. But we, the flawed, live in a defective world. Just do what we can. One day, something even better than our dreams will come true. This is our blessed hope. Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon: https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/hope-for-your-work-6026/ 我们为什么以及如何努力让世界更美好？ 基督徒应该热情地改善世界吗？难道不是应该专注于永恒的生命和基督的再来吗? 让我们来一起学习提多书2：11-3：9。 基督徒不应该将自己和自己的身份与地上的工作连在一起 （提3：3），也不应成为世俗享乐的奴役，沉迷于金钱、个人利益或自我满足之类的事情上。 相反地，应该期待那永恒的生命, 一个正义、 和平、完美而且没有苦难的世界（提多书3：5-7）。 话虽如此，基督徒不应当忽视地上的事，反倒应该热心行善，让世人可以一瞥我们美好的未来（提2：14; 3：1，8）。 因此，应过着自守、公义、敬虔的生活 （提多书2：12），努力地促进人类蓬勃发展，包括帮助社区、维护公共正义和公共利益。如若有行善的力量，不应推辞，就当向那应得的人施行 （箴3:27）。 但必须注意作为破碎的人活在破碎的世界中，真实的生活不是黑白分明而是灰色的。我们的工作（例如从事法律、发行股票债券或清洁厕所）都不是完美的。 许多最初对改变世界充满热情的理想主义者在屡屡失败之后变得愤世嫉俗。 J.R.R.托尔金在“尼格尔的叶子”中描述了一位试图绘制一棵大树的艺术家。琐碎的事务职责以及帮助其他人的需要淹没了他的时间，使他在去世前只能画出一片叶子。可是在这位艺术家死后，展现在眼前的竟然是一棵他可以进一步改善的大树。 世上充满荆棘和蒺藜。如果只能画一片叶子，不要泄气，尽己所能。相信有一天将可看到自己的那棵大树并进一步改善它 （提多书2：13）。 总而言之，我们藉着恩典和基督的牺牲成为上帝的儿女，拥有满有荣光的未来。当努力行善，让世人可以一瞥我们美好的未来。但我们是有缺陷的人，生活在有缺陷的世界中。尽己所能，使世界更美好。相信终会有一天比梦想更好的一切将会实现。这就是我们所盼望的福。
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