In the fourth verse of the same chapter, Paul continues writing his epistle to Titus, "after the common faith: grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour." (Titus 1:4)
For the casual reader, these scriptures in isolation can be difficult to reconcile. After all, Paul refers to God manifesting His Word, according to the commandment of God our Saviour. Then, immediately afterward, in verse 4, Paul writes of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ -- our Saviour. Since there is only one Saviour (and not two) who shed His precious blood on the cross, for the remission of our sins, we need to look at the context of these scriptures. But herein, as we soon learn, Paul goes on to instruct believers to ordain elders in every city in this chapter, and also, about the characteristics of a bishop. (I Timothy 3:7; I Timothy 3:3)
Albeit, toward the end of chapter one, Paul does change direction in his communication, addressing the "many who are unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." Paul even alludes to "one of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, "The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. "Wherefore rebuke them sharply that may not be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men that turn from the truth." (Titus 1:10-14)
Continuing, them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [Him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. But thankfully, to those who are pure, all things are pure because they speak the things which become sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1; I Corinthians 6:12)
In considering how to bring the subject back to God our Saviour and Jesus the Christ, we could examine the words -- sound doctrine. As a consequence, we learn there are four references to sound doctrine in the new testament, in addition to an explanation of the foundation of the gospel in Hebrews 6:1-2. (I Timothy 1:10; II Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; Titus 2:1) But I digress.
To do this effectively, we should search/study the Word to show ourselves approved, as doth a workman that need not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15; II Peter 1:10) Or, as Paul explains in Titus, "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 1:9)
This is why Paul instructs the servant of the Lord not to strive, but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing [or correcting] those that oppose themselves. We do the same if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted when we bear ye one another's burdens, and in so doing, fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1)
"If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will" in the last days. (II Timothy 2:24-26; 3:1; Titus 3:2)
"Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:4)
But what is the truth? In the new testament, Thy Word is truth. (John 17:17) In the old, the woman said to Elijah, "Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the Word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth." (I Kings 17:24)
This is why we as believers in Jesus by faith, we make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all men, so that we may lead a quiet, and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (I Timothy 2:1)
Why? Because "this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour -- who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (I Timothy 2:3-6; Romans 12:2)
God our Saviour. Further, we need to understand the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father since the beginning of the world. That is, the mystery of godliness -- "God was manifest in the flesh; justified in the Spirit; seen of angels; preached unto the Gentiles; believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
"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; Luke 24:5)
"For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him; and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the Head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased [the Father] that in Him should all fullness dwell; and having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, by Him, [I say] whether they be things in earth or things in heaven ..." (Colossians 1:12-22)
The mystery being the hidden truth. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth ..." (John 1:14)
"I was found of them that sought Me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after Me. But to Israel, He saith, "All day long I have stretched forth My hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." (Romans 10:18-21)
In this current dispensation of grace, His Name is Jesus. He is Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 1:8, 11)
Like the first 3,000 souls understood on the day of Pentecost, Jesus is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-38) And, as a consequence of this revelation, that the Lord came forth as a mighty man, we have great joy and consolation in Thy love, holding fast Thy Word as we have been instructed/taught to do. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-18)
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: where unto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us." (II Timothy 1:7-14)
Let them who have ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
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