Titus 1:2

NASB	NLT	VOICE
2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,	2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God – who does not lie – promised them before the world began.	2 We rest in this hope we’ve been given – the hope that we will live forever with our God – the hope that He proclaimed ages and ages ago (even before time began). And our God is no liar; He is not even capable of uttering lies.

The Promise of Eternal Life

Eternal life describes a life that believers will have where we can enjoy God’s presence forever. It’s not a wishful thought. It’s a confident expectation based on the promises of God. The hope of an eternal life is an assurance and future reality of believers. This is both a present possession and future promise. God is not like humans who can lie or change minds. God’s promises are reliable and unchanging. The promise of eternal life existed from the original Creation plan. It shows how powerful God is and the eternal scope of God’s redemptive plan.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How does the promise of eternal life make an impact on your life?

Totally Truthful

Something that piqued my curiosity is the explicit point that God “does not lie.” We are called to reflect God’s truth into our own lives. God does not lie. His truth will always be revealed. It may not be immediate. It may not be simple. It will happen, though. This is a constant prayer of mine: “God, may your truth be shown. May your justice be served.” It’s a way to remind me that God’s truth will always have the final say. God’s justice will always be the final victory. It’s a way to release my own want of control and my own desire to see the outcome I want and replace it with doing what God’s plan is for me.

Now to be truthful is difficult. Often, the truth can lead to hard conversations, difficult times, and separations of relationships. The truth can be a hard thing to swallow, but the Bible encourages us to share the truth in love. What does that mean? For me, it’s sharing your concerns and observations of what you’ve seen, heard, and experienced. You share that information in a way that does not judge or condemn, but through compassion and mercy. In a way that conveys: “I care about you and want you to live and exist in the way that God created you too.” When you express your concerns and observation, you also listen without bias so that you can understand their perspectives. Hearing how they experienced our concerns may change our own perspective, leading us either to revise our concerns or to hold them with even greater clarity. When we finish, we need to ask how we can help them grow and walk with them in any step of the way they need. After that, the works that are needed to be done are between them and God. I cannot force someone to do anything. I cannot convince someone to change their ways. I cannot abandon someone who needs help either. We must be available to help however we can. When we do this, we fulfill God’s commands and experience His blessings now, even as we await the fullness of eternal life.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How can you be more a truth-teller in your community?

PRAY Action

Praise God for His promise of eternal life. This will be a time of no more pain, sorrow, and agony. It will be a time full of celebration and life, and what a time that will be.

Read John 17:3

Ask God how you can know Him better. Every day is an opportunity to become more Christ-like and deepen our relationship with God, our Creator and our Heavenly Father.

You are worthy of all of God’s promises. There is nothing you have done that places you beyond the reach of God’s promises, and nothing in creation can separate you from His love in Christ.  

Next slice of manna: Trusting God || Micah 7:7 || Manna for the Mind #351

Next devotional series (small break from “Manna for the Mind”): Why Can’t I Love Myself? || Thought Provokers || Part 1