Have you ever had someone tell you why they are telling you something before they tell it to you?  It is usually a way to stress the significance of what you are about to say.  It’s a way to be sure that people will listen.  Paul does this is a few of his letters and he happens to in his letter to Titus.  Let’s look at his words together today. 

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, 4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

Paul says that he writes this letter to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness in the hope of eternal life.  This is not just a job for Paul but for all of us to try and strive for.  We are all called to help build one another up.  To help others grow in their faith.  Some do that well by learning and grasping Scripture and helping others to understand and apply it in their lives.  Some do this by encouraging others through worship.  Some serve so that the needs of the church and people can be met.  Still others model through their lives what it looks like to follow Jesus well.  The point is that everyone has a role.  We all can help in this task that Paul presents in his letter to Titus.  Today and every day think about how you can pitch in to help someone else grow in their relationship with God today.  You just might be surprised how much your actions help.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave