The Cooling Stream

Titus 1:1b

Paul called himself a bondservant of God.

He was also an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Paul was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ for two reasons.

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Firstly, it was for the faith of God's elect (1:1b)

Paul knew that it was essential for the people to come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

But he also knew that the message of the Lord Jesus Christ must be distributed by the mouths of His followers.

Paul was sent by the Lord Jesus Christ as an apostle to preach the gospel so that the people would hear, believe, call on the Lord, and be saved.

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But Paul also said that his apostleship was specifically for the faith of "God's elect."

Paul knew that not everyone would respond to the message of the Lord Jesus Christ with faith.

He knew that some were not going to be saved.

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The message of the Lord Jesus Christ is not for the faith of those who choose God.

Rather, it is for the faith of those chosen of God.

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Secondly, it was for the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness. (1:1b)

The acknowledgment of the truth is very important for Christians.

We need to have a proper understanding of God's way, His will, His methods, and His character.

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God wants us to know the whole truth.

God's desire isn't just that we be saved, but that we also come to a knowledge of the truth.

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Believing is certainly the beginning.

But we are called to continue in the Word of God and to know the truth.

And the truth will make us free (John 8:31-32).

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The truth is according to godliness.

Knowledge of the truth is preceded by repentance.

And the truth is always based on godly living.

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We are not to treat God's grace with contempt.

Rather, we must show reverence and respect towards God in our behavior.

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God's chosen people must hear the gospel and believe it.

They must know the whole truth.

And they must live a godly life.

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We must be diligent to make our calling and election sure.

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The apostleship of Paul was for the combined purposes of evangelism and discipleship.