Verse of the Day 1/23

Verse of the Day 1/23

Titus 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, ² in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began    English Standard Version (ESV)

Our men's Bible study group went through this passage yesterday in our study of the book of Titus.  The introduction here is the longest one in any of the books written by Paul.  In it he refers to himself as a servant, not just any servant but that of the lowest menial servants, a slave, a slave for life.  You'll notice also that he is that slave "for the sake of the elect", those whom God has chosen from ages past and will choose in the future.  The focus is to increase their knowledge of the truth in hopes that it will lead to godliness in a society on the island of Crete which Pastor Chip Ingram referred to as Vegas on steroids.

It was a daunting task for sure with the Judaizers with their legalism on one side and the anything goes crowd on the other and Titus was the man that Paul was led to choose for that job.  The book goes on to talk about being an and example and many times mentions "doing good".  The book doesn't dive deeply into doctrine as Paul does in other books such as Romans but instead encourages and challenges Titus to hold onto what he has learned and believed and continue in them as an example and to appoint others that will fall in line with that as elders in the churches there.

Pastor Bob in his message this past Sunday quoted Matthew 5:14-16 where Jesus tells his followers that they are to be salt and light, that they be the city on a hill. 

Matthew 5:13"You are the salt of the earth,"   English Standard Version (ESV)

Regarding being salt, I had the following notes posted in my eBible.  David Jeremiah writes, "Change, preserve, and add value—three traits that Jesus may have had in mind when He said His followers were to be the salt of the earth.   Ask God today to help you be a change agent and kingdom "preservationist," and to add spiritual value to all those you meet."    That is basically what Paul was calling Titus to be to the people, the churches on the island of Crete where God had placed him.  It is the call for us as leaders where we are, where God has placed us, to be salt and light.

  Vance Havner writes, "We are the salt of the earth not the sugar. Our ministry is to truly cleanse and not just to change the taste."  All too often what we hear today is that we are to be more like sugar, sweet, but not being an agent of change or preservation.    You may not think of yourself as a leader, but as Chip Ingram mentions, "you are the greatest leader that someone knows".  You are a leader to someone, perhaps a child, grandchild, a friend or co-worker.  Let your light shine and be salt and light to them.   

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Titus 1:1-4New Living Translation (NLT)

Greetings from Paul

1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to^[a] those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives.² This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. ³ And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him.

⁴ I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share.

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.