A Proven Companion

“To Titus, a true son in our common faith…”

Titus 1:4

To understand who Titus was, “we have to piece together his biography from sparse references to him in three of Paul’s letters.” Through these windows of Scripture, we peek into the character of Titus. The same characteristics that the Apostle Paul observed. They proved Titus was a companion that was tested and could be trusted.

Titus was being sent to the Island of Crete. This was a province of Rome, and the society living on this island had a poor reputation. In Titus 1:12, we find Paul quoting a 6^th Century B.C. Philosopher Epimenides. He wrote, “One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’” The 2^nd Century Greek Poet Homer claimed there were between ninety and one hundred cities in Crete at this time. As the Gospel spread on this island, several cities formed churches, yet they were unorganized and needed leadership. Titus was to “set things in order.”

Titus was said to be a “man of the hour at a number of key points in Paul’s life.” When we are introduced to Titus in the Book of Galatians, we discover he was Greek and with Paul at the Jerusalem Council (Galatians 2:1-3). He was a man not easily swayed by false doctrine. He was diligent and held to the truth (2 Corinthians 8:22-23). Although uncircumcised in the flesh, he was circumcised in heart through faith in Jesus. He became a new creation in Christ. This knowledge would shore up his confidence as he carried out his unique work.

As a Christian, you are called to use your gifts in service to the Lord (1 Peter 4:10). Knowing you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) should shore up your confidence for service. In this season of your life, it could be that the Lord is calling you into a unique work. What is the Lord calling you to do? Are you a proven companion and will you be faithful in the work?

“Hard work will do almost everything; but in God’s service it must not only be hard work, but hot work. The heart must be on fire.”

– C. H. Spurgeon