- “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness …” This is Paul’s view of his position and mission. Would this reflect a grand view of self, a humble self-effacing attitude, a sense of weakness or a sense of power? How would you describe the way Paul sees himself in the context of his ministry? What about you? How do you see yourself in the context of God’s ministry?
The position gives him both confidence and authority to do what he has been called to do. After all, he serves God. There isn’t the sense of delusions of grandeur since he refers to himself as a servant but neither is he shy to acknowledge who he is so he is not self-effacing or weak.
I am almost always apologetic because I have no paper qualifications, no formal position and no real stature in Christian circles. I just try to do what I can with the opportunities God has given me and people would either choose to listen and appreciate my contribution or not. In other words my confidence and authority rests on my understanding of Scripture and my ability to explain and teach it, and (almost) nothing else. Very few people know of my years of involvement and experience.
- “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness …” This is Paul’s view of his position and mission. What would you understand to be the goal of Paul’s mission and the means to achieving that mission? How would you understand your own role in the Church?
To further faith through the teaching of truth leading to godliness: Faith, Truth, Godliness. Good words to reflect upon. Faith deals with our trust in God and Godliness deals with our reception of who he is while truth aligns us with God and life. The focus of my work is on Truth, with an emphasis on how it strengthens faith and produces godliness. Truth is not focused on truth itself; the study of truth is not to be academic. Truth is founded both on Word and Reality. In other words, truth must not be merely conceptual and theoretical.
- “ … in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior …” What propels Paul, and those who believe through his ministry, to fulfil his mission? How about you? Is it important to underscore the fact that God does not lie and that Paul has a role in God’s fulfilment of his promise?
Hope. Eternal life. Promise. Trust. Command. Too many to elaborate but each word worthwhile to spend time to think through in the context of how they propel me to do what I do.
Well, the foundation of Hope and all that follows is the fact that God does not lie.
- “To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” Paul emphasised the commonality between himself, the one called to mission, and Titus, the fruit of that mission. Both are equal under God the Father and Christ Jesus the Saviour. What would that imply? Would that also extend down the road to you?
That all that propels him and gives him strength also should propel and give Titus strength. The common faith means that both teacher and disciple walk the same path. Yes.