We can probably all think of people who just seem to know lots of stuff. Whatever subject you speak to them about, they have some knowledge of it. They are good at quizzes! Some retain information very well and others of us struggle. This kind of knowledge perhaps has some use, but it probably doesn’t fundamentally change how someone lives. In fact, it can sometimes lead to pride.
However, on Sunday morning, as we started a new series on Paul’s letter to Titus, we saw a different kind of knowledge.
“knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness” Titus 1:1
‘Truth that leads to godliness’ is a good summary for the whole book of Titus. Knowing what is right and true should lead to a transformed life. Paul’s mission in his life and ministry was to bring people to faith in Jesus and to maturity. He did this by preaching God’s word (1v3). As Paul preached the truth of the gospel, God brought people to trust in Jesus and to grow in godliness.
We do not have the apostle Paul personally preaching to us today, but we do have the “apostles’ teaching”, the complete Bible. As we read the Bible personally and gather to hear it preached, we understand how faith in Jesus alone saves. We also understand what it is to be godly – to be like Jesus. The more and more we immerse ourselves in scripture, the more we understand what God hates and how to sin less. The more we understand what pleases him and how to love him more.
Today and every day, let’s be people who read the Bible individually to grow in godliness and who make a priority of gathering to hear God’s word together. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
James Howlett