Titus 1:1 (ESV)
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,
Three characteristics of believers are outlined in this verse, faith, knowledge of the truth, and godliness. These three characteristics affect the heart (faith), the head (knowledge of the truth), and the hands (godliness). Some would describe that as body, soul, and spirit. However they are described or classified, you cannot escape the truth that the gospel that is proclaimed in the New Testament touched the whole person. I have observed that some shy away from talking about godliness because they think it detracts from faith. Others redefine faith to equate to godliness, undermining the very concept of trust that is inherent in faith. Still others never move beyond knowledge. They can explain the gospel, but they’ve never truly trusted God nor allowed him to change them. The gospel touches the whole person. With the head we hear and acknowledge the truth. With the heart we believe, trusting God to forgive and transform us for we cannot do that ourselves. With the hands we serve in godliness out of a position of rest in Christ, for it is the Spirit of God that produces in and through us the godliness defined as the fruit of the Spirit. The gospel touches the whole person. Anything less is truth out of balance.
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