Preach the Word; Be Instant In Season; Out of Season; Reprove; Rebuke; Exhort With All Long Suffering and Doctrine -- Part 1610

In recent decades, we have witnessed a falling away from the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, even when we -- as believers in Jesus by faith, are instructed to "speak thou the things which become sound doctrine ... holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 2:1; Titus 1:9)

Yes, remaining steadfast in the apostle's doctrine, as the first 3,000 souls did on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:36-47) Indeed, preaching the Word; being instant both in season and out of season; reproving and rebuking those who attempt to move us away from personally knowing the Lord of glory, and conversely, exhorting with all long suffering and doctrine those whose hearts are hungry for His Word. The Lord Jesus never left us without good counsel for both ends of the spectrum. We certainly see this faithfulness to the truth exemplified in the gospel of Paul to Titus. 

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began wrote in his epistle to Titus that this same God "hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour." (Titus 1-3)

The simplicity of the gospel (for those of us living in this current dispensation of grace) are clearly laid out in these three verses. First, acknowledging His truth is after godliness. Second, that in Jesus we have hope of eternal life -- because God does not lie. Third, His plan of salvation was promised before the world began. More to the point, He hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching the "commandment of God our Saviour."

Not preaching another G/god, or God in three persons trinity doctrine as many teach, but preaching that this One and Same Lord God who created the world in the very beginning robed Himself in human flesh. The Lord Himself coming forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:21-23)  

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11) 

The mystery that was promised before the foundation of the world was even laid is this -- that He Himself who knew no sin would become the perfect sacrifice on an old wooden cross, shedding His holy blood so that our transgressions (as crimson as they are) could be made white as snow.

Am I digressing? I hope not. As background, Paul is writing herein to a close and trusted disciple Titus that Paul affectionately calls his partner and fellow helper -- a messenger of the churches and the glory of Christ in II Corinthians 8:23. It is important to note that Titus (being Greek) was not ever compelled to be circumcised. (Galatians 2:3) Still, he did accompany Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, where Paul had went by revelation, and communicated among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, "lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain." (Galatians 2:2) 

Nevertheless, as Paul scribed, the same "God that comforts those that are cast down comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more ..."  (II Corinthians 7:6-7; 6-16)

And also, in another place, Paul states, "But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you, for indeed he accepted the exhortation: but being more forward of his own accord, he went unto you, and we have sent him with the brother , whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches, to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind." (II Corinthians 8:16-24)

Titus having walked with Paul as a brother, not making gain of any but rather walking in the same Spirit, and walking in the same steps. "Again think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? We speak before God in Christ; but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying." (II Corinthians 12:18-19)

Neither Paul nor Titus strayed from the truth of the commandment of God in Christ -- God Himself becoming the greatest love story ever told -- not even for a minute, and neither should we, because He is our only hope. Our Saviour who loves us beyond measure. He is inviting to come to His throne. To put on His coat of righteousness. The grace of God having appeared for the salvation of all mankind, paying the price for our sin once and for all. 

His Name is Jesus. He is holy. He is wondrous. He is the ultimate joy giver. And the redeemed worship Him from their hearts. Therefore, when the naysayers with limited worldly wisdom come your way, attempting to deceive you with foolishness, remember the words of Paul. That is, hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard ... in faith and love which is only in Christ Jesus. 

Stand in the offering plate.