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 1:1-4,
"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."
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 manipulated by God on the sly (the false
concept of "irresistible grace").
Very simple: the gospel given and either accepted in faith or
rejected. Those who embrace it in faith inherit eternal life, those
who reject it are cast into a lake of burning sulfur at the end of the
age. 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, etc., 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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