Good morning. Today’s Bible verse is Titus 1:2: “…in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.”
We are born, we live, and we die; for most people, this seems to be the entirety of human existence. However, this was not God’s original purpose for mankind. God created men and women to live eternally and to have fellowship with Him. Yet, because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, humanity was cast into sin and death, resulting in separation from God for eternity.
It is natural to wonder why God allowed sin to enter the world. While the definitive answer may elude us, we do know that God possesses complete knowledge—He knows every actual event and all possible outcomes, as Luke 10:13-16 indicates. Out of all the possible plans, God chose the one that would bring Him the greatest glory and provide the fullest satisfaction to those who trust in Him.
Dear brothers and sisters, we recognize that all humanity is impacted by sin, guilt, and condemnation. Despite this, God’s mercy and grace made redemption possible. We can be freed from the guilt of sin and receive the promise of eternal life. This redemption requires faith, trust in God’s promises, and belief in the gospel of grace, as outlined by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 1:16-17, 5:1.
The truth of salvation by faith in Paul’s gospel of grace may raise questions about salvation for those who lived in other dispensations. However, the answer is simple: this is not our concern. We trust that in God’s mind, forgiveness of sin has always been based on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as Paul affirmed. This promise was made before time began, as referenced in today’s verse. The promise was revealed in Genesis 3:15 and fulfilled in John 19:30. While humanity may not have always fully understood the details, the certainty of God’s promise and its fulfillment remained unchanged.
Therefore, in our present time, the most important thing—the true factor that can change the course of our lives from birth to death—is whether we accept God’s word and believe in the gospel of grace revealed to Paul by Jesus Christ.
Reflection: God’s promise to you is to trust fully in the gospel of grace, assuring you of eternal life. Accepting this leads to a meaningful journey in this life and the life to come.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Tt 1:2.