Self-Understanding
Words of Faith 8-22-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Titus 1
[1] Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness-- [2] a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, [3] and at his appointed season he brought his word 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.

The marvelous thing about the salutation in each letter by Paul is that it gives us a glimpse at how Paul understood himself. Each one is a little different based on how well he knew the recipients and how much he needed to establish the authority to address certain issues.
For this letter, Paul offered two simple credentials-- servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ. The word "doulos" was the common term for slaves. It was much stronger than other words he might have used. Paul lived within a self-understanding that he was joyfully owned by God and was completely dependent upon Him. He did not tout any of the high-powered credentials from his former religious life or any of his life-altering experiences directly with the Lord. He did not point out any of his endorsements, connections, or ordinations by church leaders such as Peter or James. He was simply a slave, owned by God.
But as a slave owned by God, Paul also had a purpose. He was an apostle of Jesus. The word apostle in its simplest form means "sent one." Paul made no claim of rank but he did stand in the authority of his called purpose. Paul's purpose was to carry the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. And that faith is grounded on the hope of eternal life that has been promised from the beginning of time.
To this end, Paul also understood himself to be a father to Titus. While there are no records of Paul having a biological family, there were many that he counted as sisters and brothers. There were also a few that he counted as sons. This was one. Titus, my true son in our common faith (v4). Paul knew of the bond in the Spirit that is stronger than biology.
Into this relationship, Paul began by speaking the grace and peace that only comes from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
The text calls us to ask-- how do I understand myself? What is my purpose? Do I see myself as having earned some level of status among the family of Christ? Do I think of myself as having a certain rank for having followed for a time? Do I claim any special rights? Paul did not. Paul understood himself to be owned as a slave by God and to be sent by grace to serve. Should we have an understanding of ourselves that is any different?
Paul also understood that there are ties stronger than a family name. The name of Christ binds together those who share the knowledge and truth that leads to godliness. There are sons and daughters in the service of Christ who need blessing. They need encouragement and the spoken blessing of grace and peace.

Lord God, give me a clear understanding of myself. Who I am in You and what I am called to become by Your Spirit. Show me ways that You desire to use me to grow and mentor others. Give me clarity in Your calling upon my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.