This is another of Paul's letters. Chronologically it would come between 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. Paul had won Titus to Christ (in v. 4 he calls him "my true son in the faith that we share"), and like Timothy, Titus had become one of Paul's assistants. Paul had sent him to the island of Crete to work with the churches there. This letter is intended to guide Titus as he works with the churches, and its message is relevant to the church of the 21st century.
vv. 1-4 represent Paul's greetings which are always rich in themselves. He refers to himself as a "slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ." As such he obeyed God in proclaiming the true faith and teaching believers the truth about living godly lives. We can have confidence in the truth about our eternal life because God promised it before the world began. And God cannot lie! What a wonderful thought to meditate on!
Psalm 119:9-16
This is advice for young people, but it is good for all of us. We live in a wicked world; sexual immorality is all around us--sexual relationships of which God would not approve. Think about how few movies, TV programs, songs, etc. deal with a faithful relationship between a married man and wife. The writer of this psalm asks this question, "How can a young person stay pure?" Then he answers his own question--
- by obeying God's Word, v. 9
- by seeking after God, v. 10
- by memorizing God's Word, v. 11
- by praising God, v. 12
- by reciting God's Word, v. 13
- by rejoicing in the Lord, v. 14
- by studying God's Word and reflecting on it, v. 15
- by delighting in God's Word, v. 16
- by remembering God's Word, v. 16
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