◄ What Does Titus 1:3 Mean? ►

The book of Titus gives brief but thorough guidance on living a consecrated and virtuous Christian life that is holy to the Lord and displays grace and love to others. Titus was the man who was entrusted to teach, correct, and give guidance to the Christians in Crete, but Paul was the person who was entrusted by the Lord to reveal the truth of the gospel of grace to Titus, and to many in the early Gentile church.

In his letter to Titus, Paul lists the characteristics he should look for in Church elders and the qualities that should be encouraged in older men and women. He gives him advice on training and encouraging young people and children to fulfil their duty to God and their obligations to their parents, in their homes, families, and the wider Church community.

Paul addressed Titus as: "My true son in our common faith." Paul wanted to ensure that this young pastor stood firm on the Word of truth, and that he presented a good testimony of God's grace in his own life, while encouraging others to live righteously as well.

It is in the midst of his introductory salutations, but before he wrote his customary greeting: "Grace and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour," that Paul seems unable to refrain from declaring, once again, the truth of the beautiful gospel of grace and the hope of eternal life which is given to all who trust in Jesus' name.

In his opening words, the apostle Paul expresses his joy for the faith Titus had in the gospel. He was overjoyed for all the saints of God who rejoice in a knowledge of the truth and whose life is consecrated to the Lord Jesus. Such a life, Paul reminds us, is underpinned and sustained by the hope of eternal life which is God's trustworthy promise to all who have faith in Him.

As Paul, the bond-servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, started to rejoice for the faith of Titus and those chosen by God and who know the truth, live godly lives, and trust in Him for their eternal salvation, he started to expand his thoughts about the Lord's amazing promise of salvation, which was made before the world began.

God's plan of redemption for fallen sinners was the promised 'hope' which would come through the sacrificial death and glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was the Word made flesh. He was the incarnate Word of God Who was sent to earth at the appointed time to redeem mankind from their sin.

God promised long ago that by faith in Christ we would be declared righteous by God. Scripture told of His coming, giving man hope of eternal life. And Paul could hardly conceal his praise and thanksgiving that in God's own time and God's own way, the Son of God was revealed, the message of redemption was proclaimed, and Paul was entrusted to preach the precious gospel of grace, as commanded by Christ.

There is no greater hope and assurance that God's Word is true, for God cannot lie. And there is nothing more important than to live our lives in a way that honours the Lord and displays grace and love to others. The little book of Titus gives much guidance to pastors and people alike on the godly qualities and characteristics that should be manifest in the lives of all God's people.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the book of Titus and the many teachings it provides on living godly lives for Your honour and glory. Thank You for the life of Paul and for entrusting him with the truth of the gospel of grace. Thank You that Your Word is true and never fails and that You determined before the foundation of the world to redeem mankind from their sin, by grace through faith in Christ. Thank You for sending Jesus as the incarnate Word Who lived a perfect life and died and rose again so that I might have the promise of eternal life, through faith in Him. Praise His holy name, AMEN.