II. How Paul describes Christians.
Here he gives us a two-fold description in verse 1
1. ” God’s elect “. Paul rejoiced the the doctrine of election – compare Rom.8:33 ; Col.3:12 ; 2 Tim.2:10 ; 1 Thess.1:4 ; 1:Pet.1:2 ; 2 Pt.1:10 – a difficult doctrine to understand but very precious indeed to the heart. It was true of the Christians in the first century that they were God’s elect ; it is true also today of every real Christian. Are you rejoicing in this truth?
2. ” Believers “. The expression ” the faith of God’s elect ” indicates that Christians are believers, men and woman of faith. We are saved by believing – look up John 3:16 ; 5:24 ; Acts 16:30,31 ; Rom.1:6 ; but faith , believing ; trust in God is also the principle by which we are to live. We are to have faith not only for justification but also for the supply of our needs and for the sufficiency of God’s grace – look up 2 Cor.9:8. It is our faith as comprehensive as is?
This then, is Paul’s two-fold description of the Christians in Crete and of Christians everywhere. We by the grace of God , are God’s elect and we are believers, those who trust in the living God – look up 1 Timothy 4:10.
more to come