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,
"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..."
I note in Paul's salutation in his letter to Titus that he speaks of his purpose in furthering the faith of God's elect. I also note the proximity of "knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness" to this furthering the faith of God's elect.
"God's elect" in this verse refers to the ones he has chosen out of all mankind. We are told that God had determined ahead of time that all who would embrace him in faith would become his children. "To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12.
God did not choose blond haired people as opposed to brunettes. God did not choose tall people and not short. God did not choose pretty people and not ugly. God did not choose intelligent people and not the unintelligent. God chooses those who embrace him in faith. When the gospel is given, those who will respond to God's invitation by receiving him in faith become his.
I am reminded of Paul's great statement about the gospel, often referred to as the theme of the book of Romans, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17.
Paul makes clear the opportunity for faith comes when the gospel is given, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17. It is when we hear the gospel message we have the opportunity to place our faith in God or reject him.
Jesus told us why there are those who will not embrace him in faith. In his conversation with Nicodemus he said, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed." John 3:19-20. It comes down to a choice between accepting God's invitation to his family or rejecting God in favor of hiding our sins. We all have a choice to make and God's choice is for those who trust in him.
I make this point on salvation by faith for two reasons. First, salvation by faith is currently under attack in the church today. A gospel of salvation by appointment is replacing the biblical message of salvation by faith in many quarters in the church today. Secondly, and interestingly, Paul makes a fascinating observation about faith: it can be furthered.
I observe in Paul's salutation that it is within those who are already chosen by God, "God's elect", those who have already placed their faith in God, that he seeks to further their faith. It appears that saving faith is faith that can be built upon, "furthered". Faith does not make us perfect and faith does not make us instantly everything we can be in God's family. One aspect that needs development is our faith.
Paul makes another interesting observation in Romans 12:3, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." God builds upon our faith.
I suspect what qualifies us for this increase in faith is proportional to Paul's second purpose in his letter to Titus, that he seeks to further "their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness." It is when we study the Scriptures, when we apply ourselves to its teaching, as we ruminate in it and take it to heart, our "knowledge of the truth" grows and our faith is built up by God himself. In a listing of gifts the Holy Spirit bestows on us "faithfulness" is included, Galatians 5:22.
Jesus taught, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20. It doesn't appear there is a huge amount of faith required for our salvation. What little faith it takes is something our Lord will build upon within us as his children.
Do you struggle with a feeling of little faith? Spend time in the Scriptures to further your knowledge of the truth and watch how God builds upon the little faith we have!
I note in Paul's salutation in his letter to Titus that he speaks of his purpose in furthering the faith of God's elect. I also note the proximity of "knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness" to this furthering the faith of God's elect.
"God's elect" in this verse refers to the ones he has chosen out of all mankind. We are told that God had determined ahead of time that all who would embrace him in faith would become his children. "To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12.
God did not choose blond haired people as opposed to brunettes. God did not choose tall people and not short. God did not choose pretty people and not ugly. God did not choose intelligent people and not the unintelligent. God chooses those who embrace him in faith. When the gospel is given, those who will respond to God's invitation by receiving him in faith become his.
I am reminded of Paul's great statement about the gospel, often referred to as the theme of the book of Romans, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17.
Paul makes clear the opportunity for faith comes when the gospel is given, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17. It is when we hear the gospel message we have the opportunity to place our faith in God or reject him.
Jesus told us why there are those who will not embrace him in faith. In his conversation with Nicodemus he said, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed." John 3:19-20. It comes down to a choice between accepting God's invitation to his family or rejecting God in favor of hiding our sins. We all have a choice to make and God's choice is for those who trust in him.
I make this point on salvation by faith for two reasons. First, salvation by faith is currently under attack in the church today. A gospel of salvation by appointment is replacing the biblical message of salvation by faith in many quarters in the church today. Secondly, and interestingly, Paul makes a fascinating observation about faith: it can be furthered.
I observe in Paul's salutation that it is within those who are already chosen by God, "God's elect", those who have already placed their faith in God, that he seeks to further their faith. It appears that saving faith is faith that can be built upon, "furthered". Faith does not make us perfect and faith does not make us instantly everything we can be in God's family. One aspect that needs development is our faith.
Paul makes another interesting observation in Romans 12:3, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." God builds upon our faith.
I suspect what qualifies us for this increase in faith is proportional to Paul's second purpose in his letter to Titus, that he seeks to further "their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness." It is when we study the Scriptures, when we apply ourselves to its teaching, as we ruminate in it and take it to heart, our "knowledge of the truth" grows and our faith is built up by God himself. In a listing of gifts the Holy Spirit bestows on us "faithfulness" is included, Galatians 5:22.
Jesus taught, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20. It doesn't appear there is a huge amount of faith required for our salvation. What little faith it takes is something our Lord will build upon within us as his children.
Do you struggle with a feeling of little faith? Spend time in the Scriptures to further your knowledge of the truth and watch how God builds upon the little faith we have!
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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