Your identity in Christ

  

July 16, 2020

 

Introduction To Titus

 

Taken from HCSB 

 

“First Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus have been referred to as the “Pastoral 
Epistles” since the eighteenth century.  It is reasonable to consider these letters together since they have striking similarities in style, vocabulary, and setting.  These letters stand apart from the ones written to Paul’s gospel co-workers.  The Pastoral Epistles deal with church structure issues and, unlike Paul’s other letters, were addressed to men serving in pastoral roles rather than to churches.  But we must also recognize that these are separate letters with their own distinctive.  They were not written primarily to describe church structure or pastoral ministry (contrary to popular opinion), but to teach Christian living in response to the gospel.” 

 

Titus 1: 1 – 4

 

Greeting

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior.

To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

 

Do you know your identity in Christ, go back and read the first sentence again and you will see Paul understood not only his identity but also understood his mission?  In that Titus was pastoring a church, is this just to pastors or to all of us?  Let me be clear, the church of 2020 is very confused about many things, and one is the role of the Pastor.  He, not she, is to lead, to teach, and prepare God’s elect to do the work of ministry, and not only to preach it but to lead by example.

 

But there is a problem, the many who sit in the pews have no understanding of their identity in Christ.  So shall we give a shortlist of your true identity in Christ: 1) Romans 3:24, You are now justified and redeemed; 2) Romans 6:7, Free from the sin’s power; Romans 8:1, Indemnified (God does not reject you, just your sinful performance); Romans 15:7, Accepted in Him; 1 Corinthians 1:30, Have wisdom, righteousness sanctification, redemption; 1 Corinthians 2:16, Mind of Christ is in you; 1 Corinthians 6:11, Washed, sanctified, justified; 1 Corinthians 6:17, One with the Holy Spirit; 1 Corinthians 15:22, Alive (formerly dead); 2 Corinthians 5:17, A new creation not an old garment with a new patch); 2 Corinthians 5:21, The righteousness of God (cannot get more righteous); Galatians 4:7, A son and heir of God; Ephesians 1:13, Sealed in the Spirit; and last of the shortlist; Your life is hidden with Christ in God (see this by faith). Note: resource, The life by Bill Gillham

That is who you are but when you enter into Christ and He enters into you, you came with flesh, and it is still hanging around.  So, what is flesh?  The flesh is not skin! No, the flesh is what we have learned to rely on for getting our needs met.  Each and every one of us has developed our flesh-life in order to get what we want out of life.  Think of the flesh as your personal techniques for meeting your own personal needs apart from God.  Steve McVey makes this statement; “Your flesh-life may not be defiant against God.  Walking after the flesh is simply relying on your own ability instead of on God’s resources.  Don’t think of the flesh as something that you naturally find repulsive.  It may be very attractive and even look spiritual.”

If you do not understand your flesh, it is like me in Algebra not having an understanding of why the pie was square, I did not do well and it required a repeat, how long will you put off being all God says about you; are you willing to repeat?

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice