The truth which is after godliness

Well it's been a good start to the week for the Eusebeian Way team.

Many thanks to the guys at Pyromaniacs and Phil Johnson in particular for the add to their ever growing blogroll. At the same time we have launched our humourous response to their "friend of sinners", with a complimentary "enemy of the world" logo. We feel the two go nicely together in explaining the position of a Christian.

We are nearing the conclusion of our foundational series looking at the Scriptures in the New Testament that deal with godliness. In this one we take a look at something interesting Paul said about eusebeia.

Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

Paul calls himself a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, no doubt designations familiar to those who have read some of his other epistles.

But the follow-up is unique and peculiar...
Paul claims these things "according to the faith of God's elect". Today there is much variance in matters of faith (which is by no means a good thing as some would have you to believe). But here Paul seems to outline clearly that the elect have a specific and definitive faith, one which he rests his apostleship upon.

But then he adds that his servanthood to God and apostleship for Christ are also according to the "acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness". The word after is a contraction of the word kata which is the same word translated as "according to" in this passage. So Paul is a servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ according to the acknowledging of the truth which is according to godliness.

So I'm seeing here that God's elect are also those who acknowledge "the truth which is after godliness". This then, is another important thing to consider about godliness - it's special role in testifying to the truth. In the last passage we saw that there is a "form of godliness" that is devoid of truth, but the opposite is also true: true godliness offers a credible witness to the truth.

Jesus, as we know, lived an impeccable life of godliness and had things said of Him such as: "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." (Jn 3:2). His life and the presence of God upon His ministry were a testimony to that which He taught: the way to salvation and right standing with God.

May we also have godliness as a valid testimony to the truth we profess in our lives.