The Promise of God Who Cannot Lie

Paul, a servant of God, an an apostle

of Jesus Christ, according to the faith

of God's elect, and the acknowledging

of the truth which is after godliness;

in hope of eternal life, which God,

that cannot lie, promised before the 

world began: but hath in due times

manifested His word through 

preaching, which is committed 

unto me according to the

commandment of God our Savior;

to Titus, mine own son after the 

common faith; Grace, mercy,

and peace, from God the Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Titus 1:1-4

     Paul opens up his letter to Titus with some outstanding statements: first, he is a servant of God and an apostle according to the  commandment of God; secondly, God has an elect, a hope of eternal life promised before the world began; Third, God cannot lie, lastly, God's word is manifested through preaching and Paul was commanded to preach the word by God. The authority of Paul is established and the hope of eternal life is establish as that which God had promised before the world began, there is no need to wonder when or how the promise was established by God it was in His plan before creation, you who are of the elect have that promise. It is this promise, the word of God that Jesus Christ ensured to be fulfilled to all of God's elect that we can have assurance that eternal life is yours. 

     Who is Titus? Titus was born of Gentile parents, and was a convert from heathenism. It is possible that Titus was led to Christ by Paul (Galatians 2:3; Titus 1:4). Paul seemed to have a special bond with Titus and love him and appreciated his trusted companionship (2Corinthians 7:6, 13). In 2Corinthans Paul mentions Titus nine times. Paul sent Titus to Corinth as his delegate and Paul eagerly awaited the return of Titus to have his spirit refreshed and this Titus did by the good news he brought back from Corinth (2Corinthians 2:12,14).  Titus was with Paul during Paul's second imprisonment in Rome (2Timothy 4:10). 

     This letter to Titus contains instructions concerning the elders of the Church, and the manner as to how he should impart instructions, how to be obedient to magistrates, to enforce good works, avoid foolish questions, and shun heresies. We are helped to understand that Christianity was not founded to answer ambitious or interested views, but that it is the wisdom of God, and the power of God. We cannot forget that the Judaizers were propagating their erroneous views and doctrines to be conformed to the Mosaic law for salvation. These Judaizers were teaching that for salvation doing and following the practices would bring pardon for sins and the hope of being saved. That thinking is found in many Churches and taught by many preachers albeit they do not think of it as being heresy, a following after the Judaiszers. 

     In contradiction to all this Paul sets forth free grace of God in man's salvation by Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Paul shows that those who believe in God, the hope for eternal life from God is where salvation is found and that by this hope, this promise of God good works is manifested, not for salvation but because of salvation. 

     You have this promise of God, you have salvation through Jesus Christ, therefore you manifest this by your good works a badge showing that you are an Authentic Christian and that your Christian Faith is Authentic.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily

     loaded us with benefits, even

the God of our salvation. He that

    is our God is the God of salvation;

and unto God the Lord belong the

    issues from death.

                   Psalm 68:19-20

Manifest your salvation

Richard L. Crumb