1 Paul, a servant of God (NO APPEAL TO THE EGO) and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— Titus 1
Paul speaks firstly of his position as a servant of God and then his office of apostle, though he was appointed by the Lord Himself. Unfortunately, today, there are many who seek the office first.
2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, Titus 1
Paul is obviously speaking by the Spirit when he tells us that God, WHO DOES NOT LIE (God is not a man that He should lie, Numbers 23:19) promised eternal life ‘before the beginning of time’. Before anything existed God gave this promise; He knew everything that was to come and still does! Rest assured, nothing that the enemy or wicked people do, will ever take God by surprise.
3 and which now at his appointed season he has BROUGHT TO LIGHT THROUGH THE PREACHING ENTRUSTED TO ME by the command of God our Saviour.
Every time we speak the Word of God or use His Name to people we are being LIGHT BEARERS. (Who we really are) We live in a world in darkness and we alone as believers can bring the light;
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
In Galilee of the GENTILES. (Most of Jesus Ministry was here)
2 THE PEOPLE WHO WALKED IN DARKNESS
HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT (Jesus brought Light, He still does if we’ll introduce Him to those around us);
THOSE WHO DWELT IN THE LAND OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, (Many people today are unaware where they’re living)
UPON THEM A LIGHT HAS SHINED. Isaiah 9, Matthew 4:16
Paul now introduces us to Titus, the recipient of this letter, but it’s also for the wider Church Body.
4 To Titus, MY TRUE SON IN OUR COMMON FAITH:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour. Titus 1
Paul had formed deep bonds with many who served with him. He acknowledged that both he and Titus shared a common faith and blessed him in the Names of God the Father and the Son.
5 The reason I left you in Crete …
They shared a common faith and had worked together, but Paul decided he had to leave Titus on the island of Crete and move on. The work they’d shared on Crete was incomplete and needed attention, so Titus was given the task of building up the Church there. Paul told him the things he needed to put in order to strengthen the Lord’s Body, but it was now his responsibility.
2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust MUST PROVE FAITHFUL. 1 Corinthians 4
Titus, another spiritual son of Paul, was chosen to take forward the Lord’s work on Crete. His time had come and he had to step up. God help us to be faithful in all that’s been entrusted to us.
God bless and keep you today.