The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Titus 1:1-3,
"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior..."
In his letter to Titus, an elder Paul had left in Crete to complete some unfinished business, Paul introduced himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ "for the faith of God's elect" and knowledge that "leads to godliness". He says this faith and knowledge rests on the hope believers have of eternal life.
While risking being somewhat specific, my understanding of this passage is that Paul uses the term "faith" not as that which we employ that brings our salvation, but rather he uses it to refer to the religion we hold to as followers of Jesus Christ. It is the same usage that Paul uses, for instance, in his letter to the church in Philippi. "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Philippians 1:25-26.
Perhaps it is a distinction without a difference (as they say). The wonderful thing I see in this is that God prepared and sent Paul to us as his emissary for our faith and knowledge while we tarry here awaiting the Lord's return.
Far from lives without purpose, when we become God's children he has made every provision for us to be strengthened in our faith and knowledge of the truth. God has done this through Paul and the other writers of our bibles, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the other brothers and sisters that have been prepared to help us in our walk in the faith.
How like it is for our God to provide all we need! "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3.
In his letter to Titus, an elder Paul had left in Crete to complete some unfinished business, Paul introduced himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ "for the faith of God's elect" and knowledge that "leads to godliness". He says this faith and knowledge rests on the hope believers have of eternal life.
While risking being somewhat specific, my understanding of this passage is that Paul uses the term "faith" not as that which we employ that brings our salvation, but rather he uses it to refer to the religion we hold to as followers of Jesus Christ. It is the same usage that Paul uses, for instance, in his letter to the church in Philippi. "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Philippians 1:25-26.
Perhaps it is a distinction without a difference (as they say). The wonderful thing I see in this is that God prepared and sent Paul to us as his emissary for our faith and knowledge while we tarry here awaiting the Lord's return.
Far from lives without purpose, when we become God's children he has made every provision for us to be strengthened in our faith and knowledge of the truth. God has done this through Paul and the other writers of our bibles, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the other brothers and sisters that have been prepared to help us in our walk in the faith.
How like it is for our God to provide all we need! "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3.
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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