Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect… I. GOD HATH SOME WHO ARE ELECT AND CHOSEN, AND OTHERS ARE NOT. Men may be called the elect of God three ways. 1. In respect of some temporal function or ministry to which the Lord hath designed them (John 6:70). 2. In regard of that actual election and choice of some people and nations above others, unto the true means of life and salvation, so to become the people of God's election. 3. In respect of that eternal election of God, which is according to grace, whereby of His good pleasure He chooseth from all eternity, out of all sorts of men, some to the certain fruition and fellowship of life eternal and salvation by Christ. These elect of God are here meant, the number of which is comparatively small; "for many are called, but few chosen" — a little flock, and a few that have found the narrow way. II. THESE ELECT HAVE A SPECIAL FAITH, DISTINCT BY THEMSELVES. 1. For there is an historical faith, standing in an assent and acknowledgment of the truth of things written and taught. 2. There is also an hypocritical faith, which passeth the former in two degrees. First, in that with knowledge and assent is joined such a profession of the truth as shall carry a great show and form of godliness. Secondly, a kind of gladness and glorying in that knowledge; for it is ascribed to some, who in temptation shall fall away, "to receive the Word with joy." To both which may be joined sometimes a gift of prophecy, sometimes of working miracles, as some in the last day shall say, "Lord, have we not prophesied and cast out devils in Thy name?" and yet they shall be unknown of Christ. Neither of these is the faith of the elect here mentioned, but a third kind, called saving faith, the inheritance of which is the property of the elect; for the just man only liveth by this faith, which in excellency passeth both the former in three worthy properties. (1) In that here, with the act of understanding and assent unto the truth, there goeth such a disposition and affection of the heart as apprehendeth and applieth unto it the promise of grace unto salvation, causing a man to rejoice in God, framing him unto the fear of God and to the waiting through hope for the accomplishment of the promise of life. (2) In that whereas both the former are dead, and not raising unto a new life in Christ, what shows soever be made for the time, the sun of persecution riseth, and such moisture is dried up. This is a lively and quickening grace, reaching into the heart Christ and His merits, who is the life of the soul and the mover of it to all godly actions, not suffering the believer to be either idle or unfruitful in the work of the Lord. (3) Whereas both the former are but temporary, this is perpetual and lasting. The other, rising upon temporary causes and reasons, can last only for a time, as when men, for the pleasure of knowledge or the name of it, by industry attain a great measure of understanding in Divine things, or when, for note and glory or commodity, true or apparent, men profess the gospel. Let but these grounds fail a little, or persecution approach, they lay the key under the door, give up the house, and bid farewell to all profession. Thus many of Christ's disciples, who thought they had truly believed in Him, and that many months, when they heard Him speak of the eating of His flesh and drinking His blood, went back, and walked with Him no more. But the matter is here far otherwise, seeing this faith of the elect hath the promise made good to it that the gates of hell shall never prevail against it. III. THIS PECULIAR FAITH IS WROUGHT IN THE ELECT BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD. 1. If this be the principal end of the ministry, let ministers herein employ their first and principal pains to bring men unto the faith. 2. The minister ought to propound before him God's end in performance of every ministerial duty, and that is by enlightening, converting, confirming, comforting, to bring and stablish men in the faith. 3. The Lord having set out the ministry for this use, let every hearer acknowledge herein God's ordinance, and yield themselves with all submission unto the ministry and the Word there preached, that thereby they may have faith wrought in their hearts. 4. Every man may hence examine himself, whether in the use of the ministry he finds saving faith begotten and wrought in his heart; and by examination some may find their understandings more enlightened, their judgments more settled, their practice in some things reformed; but a very few shall find Christ apprehended and rested in unto salvation, seeing so few there are that live by faith in the Son of God, for of all the sins that the Spirit may and shall rebuke the world of, this is the chief, because they believe not in Christ. (T. Taylor, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; |