Titus 1:2. "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" THE PROMISE God, who cannot lie, has promised with divine affection We will not be lost, eternal life goes only in one direction Faith and knowledge - then godliness follows to set us on this course This life that changes everything comes from God, the only Source.
When this life is lived on earth in the way that God intends There will be tasks that are ours to fill when our will and His do blend Not everything about eternal life makes life on earth a breeze The desire God has is placed in us each opportunity to seize.
The worth of a soul we now do know, eternity our hearts do grip Eternal destinies are not the same at the end of life's short trip Blessings and joy belong to those who eternal life here do have The darkness and gloom of hell's hopeless end are there for those not saved.
It is not that they could not have had eternal life too; God loves them all as well But for one to refuse to believe in Him, the path of a rejector leads to hell Even though many go therein, we are still here to tell of the Way The Truth and Life, who will give eternal life today.
"I thank Thee, Father, for the power and hope of the Gospel. Give those preaching the Gospel around the world this day some precious souls who want to hear and believe the message of eternal life. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."
God is the authority over His servant. God is the One who has chosen His people with His own purpose in mind. God is the absolute standard of righteousness who cannot lie. God is the only Savior, and God is the Father of all who believe. He is the One we serve. Even more times throughout the whole epistle, divine authority is emphasized. He keeps His promises. He gives eternal life. Our faith in Him is based on the foundation of God's promises. God our Savior died for our sins, and on that basis, the Father forgives us. The actual practice of truth gives the full knowledge that leads to godliness. This is not theoretical knowledge in which one professes to believe the truth, but godliness is not evident. The hope of eternal life is a positive hope, more than just an anticipation of hope. This present hope is based on the solid foundation of the promise of God before men were even created. The preaching of the Gospel is a command of "God our Savior." This phrase is repeated in each chapter of this epistle. "According to the faith," "acknowledging the truth," "in hope of eternal life" has to do with the scope of the Gospel, past, present, and future, in chapter one. The phrases "grace of God appeared," "denying ungodliness," and "looking for the blessed hope" relate to the past, present, and future 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 remind us of the all- encompassing scope of the Gospel. By God's grace, we have peace "through the blood of His cross."
It is not easy to be responsible for setting things right that are wrong in an assembly. On top of setting "things in order" in Crete, Titus was to identify elders who were qualified to lead in the different assemblies. Sometimes things that started out right at the beginning of a work get neglected or changed by someone's opinion. This may have been because the personal conduct of the saints toward each other needed correcting. Wisdom and a gracefulness that the Holy Spirit gives are necessary to bring about a proper solution to sensitive issues. There are specific features that qualify men for leadership that have to be recognizable. Those who are elders in one assembly are not elders in every assembly. Each assembly in each locality has its own elders who are responsible for the local flock of believers. It is appropriate to assure a brother who is doing the work of an overseer, and we can see he is qualified for that work, that we have confidence in him. When that is made plain to more than one person, the time will come when that should be made known to the assembly as a whole.
"Blameless" means there is nothing wrong with which he can be charged. Accusations that may be made are unfounded and should not be passed around as gossip among God's people. As the husband of one wife, he has learned to listen as well as to guide another person carefully and wisely. He has learned to adapt to opinions other than his own. His children are under control in his house, and their behavior represents their attitude toward him. That will probably be the same attitude the saints have toward him. Their children are not those who waste money on pleasure and are not out of control in behavior. A steward of God must be blameless because he is representing God. He is taking care of God's things.
Some things he is not to be. He is not to be arrogant or stubborn. He is not to be short- tempered and touchy. He should not drink wine habitually nor be abusive, as those often are who have that habit. He is not to be violent and physical when he is crossed with different opinions, nor is he to be covetous and greedy. As a steward, he is to be hospitable and glad to see people come to his home so he can have fellowship with them. He is one who loves to do good for others, who is discreet and balanced in his opinions and decisions. He is fair in his own conduct and the standards by which he governs. He is gracious and untainted toward the things of God and maintains self-control even under pressure. When he teaches the word of God, his teaching can be trusted to be scriptural. He is capable not only of teaching but also of correcting that which is wrong. Those who are stewards of the Lord in the assemblies have a great responsibility, but it is one of the greatest privileges a person will ever have in life.