Daily Writing

Thursday, 24 May 2018

To Titus, a true son in our common faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 1:4

Titus is the addressee of Paul’s final pastoral epistle. Not much is known about him, and he was never mentioned in the book of Acts. He is only referred to in a general way in the epistles. He is mentioned 8 times in 2 Corinthians, twice in Galatians, and once in 2 Timothy. The most pertinent personal information about him from any of these references is that he was an uncircumcised Greek, not a Jew. That is recorded in Galatians 2:3. Paul also calls him “my partner and fellow worker” in 2 Corinthians 8:23. He also calls him the more general term “brother” in 2 Corinthians 2:13.

Titus had been with Paul for quite some time, and was at one of the church’s important early gatherings though. In Galatians 2:1, we see that he was with Paul at the council in Jerusalem which is recorded in Acts 15, even though he was not specifically mentioned at that time.

In this greeting, Paul chooses yet another title for Titus by calling him, “a true son in our common faith.” The word translated here as “true” is the Greek work gnésios. It literally means, “born in wedlock.” Thus it signifies “legitimate,” or “genuine.” However, it came to carry an affectionate or endearing sense. Therefore, Paul’s words are not only identifying Titus as a true Christian, but as a true son of his because of their like-faith in Christ. This is the same term he used when speaking to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:2. The bonds were as strong as if Titus was Paul’s own legitimate offspring. Paul personally took him under his wings, and Titus stayed with Paul while so many others at times had faithlessly abandoned him. The “common faith” spoken of here is faith in the finished and fully sufficient work of Christ.

Next, Paul writes, “Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.” It is a very similar greeting as that to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:2. The only real difference is that there it says, “and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

It is substantially the same greeting as he makes in all of his letters, but here, and in his other two pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy), he adds in the word “mercy.” It is widely speculated as to why he adds in the word “mercy” to the pastoral letters. The reason is probably because he knew being a pastor is a job which requires a great deal of mercy from God. It is a delicate, complicated, often frustrating, always tiring, and very sensitive job. Where those under a pastor often feel it necessary to heap trouble on him, mercy is all-the-more necessary from the other direction. Without this endowment from God, the job will quickly lay low the pastor of strongest faith and resolve.

Therefore, Paul petitions for these things – grace, mercy, and peace to be bestowed upon this beloved son in the faith. And the petition is “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.” This is in line with the petition for grace, mercy, and peace. As a father would grant such things to his own son, so Paul knows that God will grant such things to His sons in the faith, a faith which is grounded in Christ Jesus. And as God is the Father of Jesus, the petition for grace, mercy, and peace will naturally flow from Jesus to the Father’s other true children as well. Finally, as Savior, it speaks of Jesus’ fully sufficient work which reconciles fallen man back to God, who is our heavenly Father. Paul’s salutation is a great example of a complete understanding of the workings of God towards His ministers who are also His sons by adoption.

Life application: Paul’s addition of mercy to the blessings upon Titus (and thus all pastors) is only as necessary as the congregation he leads fails to understand the nature of the job, and the ability of the pastor to effectively handle that job. Hundreds of pastors every week leave the pulpit due to the pressures of the job. The more mercy the congregation bestows upon their pastor, the less will be needed from above. In regards to the pastor, show a little mercy when he shows his humanity. After all, he is only human.

Lord God, help us to be attentive to the needs of our church pastors, just as they attempt to attend to our needs. And in the process, help us to not heap too much grief upon them as they attempt to sort through all of the difficult issues that come their way. May we be careful to not expect more of them than any other person, knowing that they are men dependent on You, just as we are also dependent on You. Amen.

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

…but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; Titus 1:3

Paul now builds upon the words of the previous verse. There he said that our hope in eternal life was, “promised before time began.” Now he says, “but has in due time manifested His word.” The translation is a bit lacking. The word “time” is not incorrect, but different words are used to express “time.” The Greek word kairos signifies specific opportune times; seasons. Further, the word as used in this verse is plural. It more rightly says, “but has in due seasons manifested His word.”

There are certain epochs of time which God has laid out, slowly and steadily revealing His plan of redemption for man. We term them “dispensations.” At a particular point in these seasons, God manifested His word, meaning the gospel – the good news – of Jesus Christ. And how did this occur? Paul says that God manifested His word “through preaching.” Here he uses the term en kērygmati, or “in preaching.” The words signify that the work of Jesus Christ – His fulfillment of the law along with His death, burial, and resurrection – would be brought forth to the world in a proclamation. He then acknowledges that he is a part of that process by saying, “which was committed to me.”

Paul is not claiming that he alone had the message committed to him, but that he is a part of the process. He was selected as one of the men who would transmit this message to the world. However, Paul’s commission was a unique one in that it came by a direct calling from the Lord in a heavenly vision. It was also a calling which was specifically to reveal the gospel to the Gentiles. This entire process is then, “according to the commandment of God our Savior.”

As noted, he was called by a heavenly vision. This is recorded in Acts 9. However, it is Jesus who called Him, and it is Jesus who is consistently termed “Savior” in the New Testament. Thus, these words are a direct reference to the deity of Christ. He is the Lord, and He is the second member of the Trinity. As this is so, then each of the apostles was called by God as well. Jesus called them; He is God; thus they were called by God. The entire process is of God, even before time began.

Paul’s words to Titus show us the importance of man to God. He created man, knowing he would fall. And yet, He still created him. And more, in the knowledge that man would fall, He also determined the entire redemptive process, including the work of Christ. This truth is seen in Revelation 13:8 where Jesus is called, “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Life application: God knew that Christ would have to suffer and die to correct Adam’s fall, and yet He still created man. It shows the importance of man to God. The price for redemption is high, and yet He saw it worth paying the price. The words of David ring out as words which should be uttered by each person, “Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him? (Psalm 144:3).

Lord God, when we consider that You created, knowing that we would fall, and knowing that Christ Jesus would need to come and die to pay our sin debt, it causes us to wonder what high value you have set on Your people. How could that price be worth paying? But Your word shows that You, in fact, paid it. What is man, that You would have been so mindful of him? How can such worth exist? Help us to act in a manner which will return glory to You for what You have done. Truly, You are the God of all glory. Amen.

Tuesday, 22 May 2018

…in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, Titus 1:2

Rather than, “in hope of eternal life,” this better would read, “resting upon the hope of eternal life.” This is evident from the context provided in verse 1. Reading the two as one thought shows this –

“Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, resting upon the hope of eternal life.”

Paul isn’t merely hoping for eternal life for the saints. Instead, he is sure of it, and he is resting upon that. It is a “hope of eternal life” which is based upon the surety of God’s word, and it is “God, who cannot lie.”

These words are probably a contrast to what Paul will say in verse 12, that “Cretans are always liars.” Titus leads the church at Crete, and he is therefore faced with the idea that those around him are constantly making up falsities, or following false traditions or teachings. In contrast to this, what God speaks is truth. He is the Source of truth, and nothing God says will ever be false. This understanding is key to the reliability of our faith. We do not merely possess a dubious faith, but we possess the word of God which is truth. And in that word is the sure hope of eternal life “promised before time began.”

God created the universe. At the moment of creation, time, space, and matter came into existence simultaneously. Before He spoke the universe into existence, He already knew all things that would ever occur in this created realm. He knew that man would fall, and He knew that a Redeemer would be needed to correct this. He also promised that He would, in fact, redeem. In this act, eternal life would be granted to those who believed. By purposing, or promising, a Redeemer, it became an absolutely inviolable truth that eternal life would be granted to those whom He redeemed.

It is this truth upon which Paul’s hope rested, and it is this truth which Paul now conveys to Titus (and thus to us!) with his pen and ink. God has spoken, and it shall come to pass just as promised.

Life application: The word of God is not a book of hopeful possibilities, but rather it is the book of truth. What God has spoken shall occur. The Bible is a record of what God has spoken. It is surer that the words of the Bible will come to pass than that the sun will rise in the morning. Be assured and reassured of this. Our hope of eternal life in Christ is a slam-dunk guarantee.

Lord God, why should we fret about the future? Whether we live or die, if we are Christ’s, then all will come out for good. Are the words found in Scripture merely hopeful ramblings? Or are they the true, fixed, and firm words from You that all will come to pass as written? Surely, we can trust that there is a good end for the saints. The word is written, and it shall be fulfilled. No fear here! Praise You, O God, for Your sure word. Amen.

Monday, 21 May 2018

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, Titus 1:1

Welcome to the book of Titus! It is the third of the three “pastoral epistles,” and it is comprised of a mere 46 verses. Thus, it will take us (one day at a time, just as we rise to begin our daily activities) one and one-half months to analyze it. It is hoped that you will be blessed as each verse brings marvelous insights into this beautiful epistle from the mind of God and through the hand of Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles.

His initial greeting of verse 1 is unique. Paul has a knack of changing his introductory comments somewhat at times. In the case of this letter to Titus, he seems to be a bit more formal than in his letters to Timothy. As Timothy was his protege, and his “son” according to the faith, there was seemingly less need to be as formal as he is here with Titus.

He begins the epistle by identifying himself. He is “Paul, a bondservant of God.” A doulos, or “bondservant,” is an individual who is the property of another; having no ownership rights of his own. This would seem to be a position lacking dignity; but in ironic fashion, it is that of the highest dignity when applied to a person in the New Testament who is in such a relation to God and Jesus Christ. For Paul, he gladly states this position in relation to God.

He next identifies his apostleship with the words, “and an apostle of Jesus Christ.” He is a messenger of the Lord, having been called by Him personally to perform this weighty duty which has been so amazingly fruitful for the past two thousand years. This is his one claim to the authority of writing a letter of doctrine, and it is with this authority that he thus writes.

He next notes concerning his apostleship, “according to the faith of God’s elect.” The words “according to” don’t properly convey what Paul means in the Greek. The Greek word isn’t speaking of the faith of the individual, but rather of the “norm or standard of faith which is set for God’s elect” (Vincent’s Word Studies). In other words, a standard – that of faith – has been determined according to God’s call, and Paul has been selected to reveal that standard. The ESV more precisely translates this, “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect.”

In addition to this standard, Paul then adds in, “and the acknowledgment of the truth.” The gospel contains a message which is truthful, and which can be both understood and applied to one’s life. Paul’s commission is to reveal this truth in a way in which this can come about. This is contained within the purpose of his apostleship, and it is that “which accords with godliness.”

The truth of the gospel which Paul conveys is that which is intended to lead to a right honoring of God through lives which emulate His character. It is unthinkable that one would profess faith in Christ, and then not want to emulate Him. It is He who demonstrated what it means to be holy, righteous, just, and godly. In calling on Christ by faith, believers are accepting the truth of the gospel, and are then to live their lives in accord with that high and honorable calling.

Life application: Although believers can ignore their call to godliness, they will lose rewards for doing so. Further, they will set a pathetically poor example for others in the process. This is evident by the great deal of immorality which permeates churches today. The church has adapted the ways of the world, and it is becoming harder and harder for those in the church to even hear the message which can bring them to salvation in the first place. Be sure to know the gospel; that of salvation by grace through faith. And then, be sure to live out the gospel in godliness.

Lord God, You have not just called Your people to salvation by grace through faith, but You have called them unto godliness. Help us to understand the simplicity of salvation, but to also understand the responsibility which follows after our reception of Your gift. May we never attempt to disassociate our lives in Christ from lives honoring of Christ. To Your glory we pray. Amen.