THROUGH PREACHING. Titus 1:3 The eternal purposes of God were planned long ago. Things that happen in our world do not catch God by surprise. He has designated the events in God’s program of the ages; they occur in “due time.” There are appointed seasons for things to happen in God’s plan. In the Old Testament, accounts of human history, followed by the plan of redemption unfolding through Jewish history, were somewhat vague. People were unsure about what life after death would be like. And then, Christ came! He brought “life and immortality to light through the Gospel.” God’s eternal plans are revealed to us through preaching that He entrusted to those He could trust to speak what He commanded. There is an authority in the message that comes from “God our Savior,” not from speculation by biblical scholars trying to adapt God's Word to fit their own preconceived ideas. God is the authority over His servant. He is the One who has chosen His people with His own purpose in mind. God is the absolute standard of righteousness and cannot lie. He is the only Savior and the Father of all who believe. We serve Him. Throughout the entire epistle, divine authority is emphasized repeatedly. He keeps His promises and gives eternal life. Our faith in Him rests on the foundation of God's promises. God, our Savior, died for our sins; on that basis, the Father forgives us. The focus of Gospel preaching is on the message itself, not on the preacher. Jesus Christ is the center of our faith in Him. Like the apostle Paul, Titus, and every servant of God are called to share the message of salvation, declaring that eternal life is a gift available to all who come to “God our Savior.” God has planned the work of salvation and forgives the sins of those who turn to Him. The promise of eternal life has been fulfilled by the commandment of God our Savior when sinners accept the Savior, whom Paul preached, and those who “preach the word in season and out of season.” The true practice of truth provides full knowledge that leads to godliness. This is not just theoretical knowledge where one claims to believe the truth, but where godliness becomes evident. The hope of eternal life is a positive hope—more than mere anticipation. This present hope is founded on the solid promise of God made before creation. The preaching of the Gospel is a command from "God our Savior." This phrase is repeated in each chapter of this epistle. "According to the faith," "acknowledging of the truth," and "in the hope of eternal life" relate to the scope of the Gospel's past, present, and future, as shown in chapter one. The "grace of God appeared," "denying ungodliness," and "looking for the blessed hope" refer to the past, present, and future aspects of the Gospel in chapter two. In chapter three, "the kindness and love of God appeared," "justified by His grace," and "hope of eternal life" again emphasize the all-encompassing scope of the Gospel. By God's grace, we have peace "through the blood of His cross."
Titus 1:3