“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…” (Titus 1:1–2 (ESV)
Titus 1:1-2 is rich in theology. It is an important portion of Scripture. This is especially ironic in that it is Paul’s greeting or introduction. The apostle did not waste any words; neither did the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
Paul declared that his ministry was in servanthood to the LORD his Master and to the Master’s message; the Gospel. The Gospel declares that God exists, sin exists, salvation from sin exists and only One Savior exists; Jesus Christ (John 1:1-14; Acts 4:12).
Paul proclaimed the Gospel message and not any message of his creation. The Gospel benefits God’s elect or chosen ones. It is the elect alone who come to faith in Christ and to a knowledge of the truth of the Gospel (John 6:35-65). This is because God the Father gives the elect as a gift to Jesus Christ.
The conversion of a sinner by the Gospel results in godliness or sanctification. The Bible does not affirm the notion of a carnal Christian. The carnal Christian is an individual who professes to know Christ as Savior but refuses to submit to His lordship. This perspective has become popular but it is another form of antinomianism, which states that believers in Christ are not required to obey the moral law of God. The entire Epistle of Titus refutes this notion.
The Gospel not only focuses upon the justification and sanctification of the believer in Christ, but also their glorification. This is the emphasis of Titus 1:2.
God gives believers in Christ hope of eternal life. Hope is not a wish or a desire that may, or may not, be fulfilled. Rather, hope (ἐλπίς; elpis) is confident expectation that what God has promised will be realized. The hope believers have is for eternal life.
“Hope is divinely promised and divinely guaranteed to all believers, providing endurance and patience (cf. John 6:37–40; Rom. 8:18–23; 1 Cor. 15:51–58; Eph. 1:13–14; Phil. 3:8–11, 20–21; 1 Thess. 4:13–18; I Peter 1:3-9; 1 John 3:2–3). Because God himself is truth and the source of truth, it is impossible for him to say anything untruthful (John 14:6, 17; 15:26; cf. Num. 23:19; Ps. 146:6). God’s plan of salvation for sinful mankind was determined and decreed before man was even created. The promise was made to God the Son (John 6:37–44; Eph. 1:4–5; 2 Tim. 1:9),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
Hope is not based upon the believers’ achievements but rather God’s accomplishment on the cross and His character. We can have confidence in what God has promised because He never lies (Cf. 1 Sam. 15:29 and Heb. 6:18). What He says He will do, He does.
The promise of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone was not an “ab lib” by God following the Fall (Gen. 3:1-7). Rather, God the Father promised this to God the Son prior to creation.
“The Bible speaks often of God’s eternal counsel, of His plan of salvation and the like. It is a matter of theological urgency that Christians not think of God as a ruler who ad libs His dominion of the universe. God does not “make it up as He goes along.” Nor must He be viewed as a bumbling administrator who is so inept in His planning that His blueprint for redemption must be endlessly subject to revision according to the actions of men. The God of Scripture has no “plan b” or “plan c.” His “plan a” is from everlasting to everlasting. It is both perfect and unchangeable as it rests on God’s eternal character, which is among other things, holy, omniscient, and immutable. God’s eternal plan is not revised because of moral imperfections within it that must be purified. His plan was not corrected or amended because He gained new knowledge that He lacked at the beginning. God’s plan never changes because He never changes and because perfection admits to no degrees and cannot be improved upon,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
So thankful to be secure in the promises of God. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 