Titus 1:1-4
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.“
Titus 1:1-4 NIV
God purposed in the eternal council chambers of heaven that fallen man would be given eternal life as a free gift of grace through faith in the redeeming blood of His only begotten Son. Christ is our blessed Hope, and we have been told in both the Old and New Testaments of our hope of eternal life by faith an expectant and excited hope a confident and a sure hope. A certain and an unwavering hope in the never failing Word of God which He promised long ago by His holy prophets.
Our hope in Christ is not only a future expectation, but it is already our present possession, for when we were saved by grace through faith in Christ, we were made children of God, citizens of heaven, heirs of the grace, and joint-heirs with Christ.
At salvation, we received eternal life as a present possession today and were promised eternal life in ages to come. When we are born from above, we are given Christ's Life as well as the assurance that a day is coming when our fallen bodies will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling or an eye at the last trump, and this mortal body shall take on immortality and this corruptible frame shall put on incorruption.
Nothing is as sure as the Word of God, for He cannot lie and in due time God will fulfil His Word to the letter. Let us rejoice and be glad that God has given us eternal life in the ages to come which is ours by grace through faith in Christ Jesus our Saviour.
God promised long ago that by faith in Christ we would be declared righteous by God. Scripture told of His coming, giving man hope of eternal life.
Paul could hardly conceal his praise and thanksgiving that in God's own time and God's own way, the Son of God was revealed, the message of redemption was proclaimed. Paul was entrusted to preach the precious gospel of grace, as commanded by Christ.
There is no greater hope and assurance that God's Word is true, for God cannot lie. And there is nothing more important than to live our lives in a way that honors the Lord and displays grace and love to others.
Theses verses in Titus give us much guidance to pastors on the godly qualities and characteristics that should be manifest in the lives of all God's people.
Paul never wanted anyone to become complacent in their faith and always made a point of reminding others of the joy we have in Christ. So his letter to this son in the faith began by reminding him of God's amazing goodness and grace, the privileged peace we have with God through our great salvation, and the perfect peace of God that can guard our heart when our mind is focused on Him.
And so, early in his greeting to Titus, Paul writes the encouraging truth that has become the privilege of all God's children: "Grace and peace to you, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Saviour."
It is by His grace through faith in Christ that we have peace with God, for we have been forgiven of our sins and received eternal life, through faith in Him.
It is also by God's grace that we have the peace of God in our hearts. His peace resides deep within our inner man and is our ever-present possession, when we look to Jesus and focus the eyes of our minds upon Him!!!
Father, thank You for this day Your Word and the wealth of mercy and grace it contains. Lord, open up the windows of heaven and let Your abundant blessings fall over my friend and family today. Lord, thank You for the joy and peace You give to us every day. Thank You that no matter where we are, You are with us to encourage and guide us. Lord help us live a godly life, both in our homes and in our wider community, for Your praise and glory. Lord, we pray that as Your ambassadors on earth, we may live as a worthy citizen of heaven, to Your praise and glory.
Father, we love You. Amen
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