Christ in Titus

Christ Connection - The Elect and God’s Purpose

Paul anchors his apostolic work in a doctrine that puzzles the modern reader: the faith of "God’s elect." He means the faith that belongs to those God has chosen. But chosen when? Before the world began. Ephesians 1:4 tells us Christ saw us and loved us before the foundation of the world was laid. Your faith is not an accident. It rests on an election older than time. God was aiming at you before you ever turned to aim at Him.

Christ Connection - The Original Pattern

Paul calls Titus to be a "pattern" of good works, someone others can watch and imitate. The New Testament holds up Christ as the pattern every believer follows: "he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked" (1 John 2:6). Titus shows the gospel to those who watch him only because he is himself learning to walk as Christ walked. You are a living copy of the One who walked before you.

Christ Connection - The Philanthropy of God in the Incarnation

The kindness and love of God toward man "appeared." In Greek, the word is epiphaneia - appearance, manifestation. It is the word used for Christ’s coming. When Jesus stepped into the world, the kindness of God became visible. A God who stooped to wash disciples’ feet, who ate with sinners, who wept over Jerusalem - this is God’s philanthropia on display. The incarnation is God saying with His whole life: I love the human race.