The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 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."
"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."
Here is something I wrote on this passage in July of 2013,
Here in Paul's salutation to Titus, he speaks of something wonderful God predestined before the beginning of time: the hope of eternal life!
Paul says this hope has now been brought to light through the preaching God entrusted to him. He says he was set apart for the work of preaching this gospel, this "good news", Romans 1:1, and that this gospel had been promised beforehand through the prophets in the Scriptures, Romans 1:2. Paul was eager to preach the gospel, Romans 1:15 and that he was not ashamed of the gospel because it was God's power to bring salvation, eternal life, to all who will embrace it in faith, Romans 1:16. This is because those who embrace its message by faith, "by faith from first to last" receive a right standing with God, Romans 1:17.
The gospel is not just another religious message - it opens the door to eternal life for all who will respond in faith. So excited Paul was in proclaiming it he says, "So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ." Romans 15:9. He says it is by the gospel people are saved, "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you." 1 Corinthians 15:2. I note he didn't say people are saved by being do-gooders, or by being slipped a date-rape drug by God on the sly. Very simple: gospel given and either accepted in faith or rejected. Those who embrace it in faith inherit eternal life, those who reject it are cast in to a lake of burning sulfur at the end of the age. Very simple! Here is how Paul put it to the Ephesians, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:13-14.
Paul felt his primary responsibility from God was to preach the gospel, that he wasn't sent to baptize folks or anything else, 1 Corinthians 1:17. Paul even made the comment, "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" 1 Corinthians 9:16.
Paul, contrary to what is thought by many who reject its message, said the origin of the gospel is not something made up by some religious person, "I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." Galatians 1:11-12.
What an amazing message the gospel is! It has its own power in its ability to save people, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes..." Romans 1:16. And, as Paul says to Titus, it was predestined by God before the beginning of time.
Here is the gospel message in Paul's nutshell, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10.
How wonderful is that?! Make sure you don't miss out on what is literally the offer of a lifetime!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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