I remember once hearing a news report of birds
falling from the sky, a river turning green and shifts in the magnetic north
pole. A scientist was trying to explain what might have happened. I just remember the interview ending with
laughter when the scientist says, “This is not an act of God; everything has a
natural explanation” and the reporter adding, “I guess you don’t believe in
Armageddon do you, ha, ha, ha.”
A few years ago one of the ads on the Super Bowl
telecast featured scientists in an observatory informed of an incoming asteroid
that would destroy the earth. One scientist
solemnly stated, “There’s only one thing to do.” Grabbing two 6-packs of beer the whole team
began to party wildly.
Isaiah 22:12-14 says: And in that day the Lord God
of hosts called for weeping and for mourning, for baldness and for girding with
sackcloth. 13 But instead, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and
killing sheep, eating meat and drinking wine: “Let us eat and drink, for
tomorrow we die!” 14 Then it was revealed in my hearing by the Lord
of hosts, “Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, even to
your death,” says the Lord God of hosts.
What does all this have to do with Titus? Paul says the faith of God’s elect will
result in the hope of eternal life; and the truth that accords with godliness
rests literally on the hope of
eternal life. The above illustrations
are of people who have no interest in godliness; they do not take it
seriously. It indicates they are not
believers in Christ, those who are born
again into a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3).
Those people who anticipate the life to come will live in a way that
accords with that hope. They will desire
and pursue godliness in this present life.
This hope is compelling for believers because
it is promised by God who cannot lie. This hope has been made clear having been
manifested through the preaching entrusted to Paul. Note …
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The
Promise
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The
Preaching
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Made before time eternal
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Made in God’s time
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Made by God
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Made by the apostles
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People
laugh at such a message today because, as God himself says, to them it is
foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18-25). But it is,
in fact, God’s wisdom which alone saves.
And it brings eternal life which is a strong motivation for
godliness. As John said, Everyone who has this hope in Him (Christ)
purified himself, just as He is pure (1 John 3:3).
God does not lie. The gospel of God’s grace presents the hope
of eternal life. Are you laughing at or
longing for eternal life?
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