Daily Devotional
"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness..."
Titus 1:1
Paul opens his letter to Titus by establishing his identity in two distinct but complementary roles: servant and apostle. As a servant, Paul acknowledges his complete submission to God’s authority. He belongs to God, answers to God, and obeys God. Yet as an apostle, Paul has been commissioned and sent with divine authority to accomplish God’s mission.
This dual identity reveals a profound truth about Christian living. We are not just servants who passively wait for instructions, nor are we independent agents acting on our own authority. We are servant-apostles, submitted to God’s lordship while actively engaged in His mission. Paul understood that true spiritual authority comes through humble submission to God.
Notice that Paul doesn’t separate these roles or see them as conflicting. His servanthood enables his apostleship, and his apostolic calling deepens his servanthood. The same God who owns him as a servant has also commissioned him as an apostle “for the sake of the faith of God’s elect.”
Today's Challenge
How do you introduce yourself to others? When you think about your identity, what comes first - your relationship with Christ or your other roles and accomplishments? How might viewing yourself as both servant and sent one change your approach to daily life?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to embrace both aspects of my identity in You. Make me a faithful servant who listens for Your voice and obeys Your commands. At the same time, help me to see myself as commissioned by You for Your purposes. Show me how my submission to You can become the foundation for serving others in Your name. Amen.
