Paul begins his letter to Titus, “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, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior” (1:1-3). Several thoughts, here. Paul is writing as one sent by God, an “apostle” (meaning “sent one”). And, so, when he writes as an apostle, in effect, he is writing God’s words; thus, Titus, and we, should pay close attention to what God says. Another thought: Paul is acting and writing with a real concern for the welfare of God’s people and their faithfulness in the truth. That is, Paul’s real pastoral, shepherding heart is showing. And, then, Paul gives us this great incentive to live godly lives, i.e., we have the assurance of eternal life, and this promise was made before the ages began (“the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, ” Revelation 13:8). And, now, the promise has come to us through the preaching of Paul and so many faithful witnesses. God is good!
‘Twas finsh’d, saith the faithful God,
Before the world itself began:
The ransom of a Saviour’s blood,
From everlasting, flow’d for man.
Ere Satan dar’d th’ Eternal King;
Ere Eden saw the morning sun;
Ere Eve had felt the Serpent's sting;
Thy perfect will, O God, was done.
Before that Adam disobey’d,
Himself, and all his sons were thine:
Those works, thy life thy death display’d,
Confirm eternity’s design.
Jesus from earth’s foundation slain!
Worthy art thou, thrice worthy, Lord!
To ever live, and rule, and reign,
By angels, and by men, ador’d. --George Richards (1792)
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