Titus 1:1–4 “The Three Elements of Salvation”

Titus 1:1-4 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Good Good Father – Chris Tomlin
• 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Matt Redman
• RECKLESS LOVE – Cory Asbury

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Object lesson for Sunday school on Salvation – Lesson for Kids
• I Have Decided | Cave Quest VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Million Reasons | Shipwrecked VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Breakthrough | Motion Video – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Following the letter-writing style of that time, the apostle first introduces himself as the sender. In other letters, Paul usually introduces himself in one sentence, but to Titus, he gives a much longer explanation. He begins by describing himself as “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ” (v. 1). He explains that the reason he was called as an apostle was “to further the faith of God’s chosen people and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.”

The phrase “God’s chosen people” is a Jewish expression referring to those who are saved. Salvation is such a great grace that it can only be understood as God’s choosing. This does not mean that God chose some for salvation and others for destruction. Rather, God desires that all people be saved. As an apostle, Paul’s mission is to lead people into “faith,” so that they may enjoy the grace of being chosen, and to teach them the “knowledge of the truth” so they may grow within that faith. In the letters to Timothy, Paul repeatedly emphasized “godliness,” which means being transformed by the knowledge of the truth within faith.

A godly person has the “hope of eternal life” (v. 2). Eternal life was “promised before the beginning of time.” The phrase “before time began” is somewhat paradoxical, since eternity has no past or future. What this means is that eternal life was always in God’s plan from the very beginning. Because God is the One “who does not lie,” He will certainly fulfill His promise. For a long time, this promise was hidden. But “at the appointed season” (v. 3), God revealed this “word of promise” through the apostles. Paul has devoted himself to proclaiming this word of promise in obedience to God’s calling.

Finally, Paul confirms that this letter is addressed to Titus (v. 4). Titus was a Gentile from Antioch and had likely already believed in the gospel when Paul first began his ministry there. When Paul went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas to discuss the matter of Gentile evangelism, he took Titus with him (Galatians 2:1). This indicates that Titus held an important position in the Antioch church. Paul trusted him so much that he even called him his “true son” and took him along on missionary journeys. Titus played a crucial role in the church at Corinth.

Meditation:

In introducing himself to Titus, the Apostle Paul explains the three elements of salvation. Salvation begins as our response to the grace God has given. It means accepting the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ and being restored as His children. This is what “faith” is.

Next, while living in this world, we must be transformed as God’s children and live as those who belong to Him. For this, we need the “knowledge of the truth.” This is the “discipline of godliness,” and the transformation into living as God’s children is the “power of godliness.” Within faith, we experience “eternal life,” living in holiness and righteousness. The eternal life we now enjoy in faith will become fully real when Jesus Christ appears again. Therefore, “faith,” “godliness,” and “eternal life” are the very essence of the gospel—the good news.

God’s intention for humanity was eternal life. But because of sin, humanity lost eternal life. Yet God did not leave us in that state; at the appointed time, He sent His Son to open the way to eternal life. Through His death on the cross and His resurrection, Jesus completed salvation and then sent the apostles to proclaim the gospel. Saul, once a promising scholar of the Law, could not understand what God was doing through Jesus Christ and lived as His opponent. But by God’s dramatic intervention, he was transformed and called to proclaim the gospel. Paul considered this mission to be a great honor and served with all his heart, urging Titus to do the same.

Through Paul’s introduction of himself, we are reminded of how great and lofty the gospel we believe truly is. To stand firm in faith, to practice the truth of God’s Word, to enjoy true life, and to finally enter eternal life—that is the salvation given to us. Knowing how precious and wonderful this gift is, we too, like the apostle, long to bear fruit in spreading this gospel.

Prayer:

Lord, You who accomplished what was planned from eternity and opened for us the way of eternal life— grant us, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, to experience eternal life each day and to finally enter into it. Help us to share this wondrous gospel with many others. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Salvation is a gift from God that begins with faith, grows through the knowledge of the truth and godly living, and is fulfilled in the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • What does it mean to believe in Jesus (faith)?
  • How can we live like God’s children every day?
  • Why is eternal life such a happy promise from God?
    
• Youth
  • Paul says the gospel is about faith, godliness, and eternal life. Which of these do you feel closest to right now, and which do you want to grow up in?
  • Eternal life is both something we experience now and something we wait for in the future. How do you experience “eternal life” in your everyday life?
  • Paul’s life was completely changed when he met Jesus. What is one area in your life where you hope God will bring change or growth?