The Gospel Creates New People
Titus 1:1-4
We live in a world hung-up on identity. We are preoccupied with who we are, what we do, and how we contribute.
We judge ourselves by our careers, accomplishments, failures, struggles, and the opinions of others. Social media amplifies our obsession with identity.
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; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Titus 1:1-4 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/tit.1.1-4.ESV
But Paul begins his letter to Titus with something different.
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ…”
Before Paul mentions his authority, he mentions his life begins with belonging to God. He is a servant.
Paul is writing to Titus, a young leader on the island of Crete, who has been tasked with the difficult mission of establishing healthy churches in a culture known for confusion and corruption. Before Paul gives Titus instructions about leadership, behavior, and doctrine, he reminds him of the foundation of their work:
The Gospel.
Paul says his assignment is “for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness…”
Paul says truth leads to godliness. The Christian life is not simply focused on knowing some information about God, but about how we become transformed by the truth of God.
Grace does not just forgive us. Grace reshapes us. The Gospel is not merely a message we believe, but a reality we live.
Paul understood that the church does not need people who just claim faith. The church needs people whose lives have been transformed by grace.
This describes the heart of Paul’s message to Titus.
God’s grace creates a new kind of person. A person who knows who they are and who understands why they are here.
The Gospel births a person who lives differently because they belong to Christ. When our identity is rooted in Christ, we discover our purpose.
Before we ask, “What should I do?” we must ask, “Whose am I?”
Our answer changes everything because grace does not just save us from something. It calls us into something.
Reflection
Where have you been looking for your identity outside of Jesus?
How would your understanding of purpose change if you genuinely lived from the truth that you belong to God?
What action can you take to express your identity and purpose in Christ?
Until my next post…
Be salty, stay lit.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
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The Devotional Guy™ 