God's Elect

Paul wrote this epistle to Titus who was a Greek (Gal 2:3), and also his “partner and fellowhelper” (2 Cor 8:23). He called Titus “mine own son after the common faith” (v. 4). Paul was not the supervisor of Titus, but he clearly stated his calling as “a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ.” Because “the servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than He that sent him” (Jn 13:16). Paul was “called to be an apostle” (Rom 1:1), “through the will of God” (1 Cor 1:1), and a preacher to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15).

 His apostleship was “according to the faith of God's elect.” The term “God’s elect” does not mean that God randomly chooses who will be saved and who will not “before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4). His “elect” are those who have truly received God's “salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim 2:10). Since God is all-knowing (Isa 40:28), election is based upon His “foreknowledge” (1 Pet 1:2). Because He already knows the future and every person who will trust Jesus as their Lord and Saviour by faith (Eph 2:8).

And those “whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate” (Rom 8:29), to a glorious home in Heaven (Jn 14:2). He gave us all a free will (Rom 7:8), to make the most important decision of our lives to get saved (Acts 16:30). In fact, He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). Sadly, many people “shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev 21:8); “for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction” (Mt 7:13). Jesus is the Only way to Heaven (Jn 14:6). Whosoever liveth and believeth in Him “shall never die” (Jn 11:26)! God bless you!

- Pastor Melito Barrera