We begin a new book today as
we journey on our studies through books of the Bible. There is not a
lot known about Titus to whom this book is addressed, but we do know
that Paul the apostle mentioned him in the books addressed to the
Corinthians, Galatians and in the First book of Timothy. Paul calls
him “mine own son in the faith” which is similar to Paul's
address to Timothy, and the theme of this wonderful book that is
written by Paul is to establish order and leadership for the church
over which Titus is pastor. We begin in chapter one and verse one
where Paul writes:
Paul, a servant of God,
and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's
elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
As with
most of Paul's letters, Paul begins with his name. We usually end
letters or emails with our signature, but it was common in the Bible
days to begin a book with the author's name. Paper availability
wasn't as abundant as it is today, so usually papyrus was employed.
The words written upon it were valuable especially when Titus
received it from his mentor.
Notice
too how Paul refers to himself in the next phrase, “a servant of
God.” This again is the Greek word, “doulos” which means
“bond-servant.” The bond-servant was the willing servant of the
one he served, and when Paul considered Jesus, he counted it a
privilege.
In
addition to being a bond-servant of God, Paul also knew himself to be
“an apostle of Jesus Christ”. The word “apostle” means “sent
one” or “called out one” or “one called for a special
mission”. Paul knew that Jesus Christ had called him to be the
apostle to the Gentiles as he stated in the book of Romans chapter
fifteen and verse sixteen:
That I should be the
minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of
God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being
sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
When
Paul gives the reason for his selection he writes, “according to
the faith of God's elect,” Paul knew that God elected him, and
when God chooses His candidates they are “elect”, “picked out”
and "chosen". God never chooses losers, and with God as the one served
no one will eventually fail. God chooses according to His
foreknowledge of those who win, and Paul knew himself to be among
this group.
Finally
Paul writes, “and the acknowledging of the truth which is after
godliness;” Paul knew the truth, acknowledged the truth, taught
the truth, and understood the importance of the truth being Godly.
Truth is Godly, and although many people consent to the truth, many
do not live Godly by it. Paul began this book with credentials, God
given credentials, that demonstrate his ability and qualifications
for being able to share what he is about to share with Titus.
When we
consider the traits of Paul, could we say that we have them as well?
Do we live as “bond-servants” of God, “apostles of Jesus
Christ”, “according to the faith of God's elect,” and
“acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness?” Perhaps
our meditation today should be that we consider carefully these
qualifications, and should we be short in any area, let this be our
prayer to the Heavenly Father who desires to have us all live in this
manner.
Next time we will look at more of the qualifications of Paul and
consider God's promises, so read ahead, and we shall join together
then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites,
www.amazon.com
; www.barnesandnobles.com
; download
to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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