Titus 1:1–2: “Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the [furtherance of the] faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,”

July 18th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Because the Greek language had no word for eternal life, “time without end,” Paul used a word meaning “age-abiding” life. He was saying that eternal life is not something believers will someday in the future possess, but that it is something they already possess, now, by trusting in Jesus Christ. Age-abiding, eternal life encompasses our daily existence, working as a controlling and directing force in our lives. Jesus promised in John 3:36, “He who believes in the Son has [already possesses] eternal life” (italics added). We need to take hold of this “eternal life” or “life that is truly life,” which is promised and guaranteed to all believers. Paul anticipated the question, “How can we know for sure that we have eternal life?” and answered it by pointing out that God Almighty, who cannot lie, promised it before the beginning of time. Jesus Himself is truth incarnate and the source of all truth. It is impossible for Him to say anything untruthful and He does not change.

That God cannot lie is a concept that allows inventive thinking, consistent with the Creator’s original character and motive. Scientists have noticed for decades that empirical science is a product of Western thinking. Many hold that it could only develop where the biblical revelation of a true, rational, and reasonable God was believed. Science developed poorly or not at all in other civilizations, because the concept of capricious gods excluded it. This was even true in stable civilizations like India. God set (“very finely adjusted,” according to Stephen Hawking in A Brief History Of Time) the laws of physics, chemistry, and mathematics in place, in harmony with His character.

Johann Kepler (1571–1630) is considered by many to be the father of modern physical astronomy. He discovered the laws of planetary motion and laid the foundation for Newton’s theory of gravity. Kepler stated that, in his astronomical research, he was merely “thinking God’s thoughts after Him.”

“LORD, cleanse us from our sins as we surrender to Your will for our lives today.”