Hope of Eternal Life.
I. Note the antiquity of this promise. It was made ages and ages ago. There are two considerations, I imagine, in the Apostle's mind the actual promise made in time, and the Divine purpose from which that promise sprang, fixed in eternity; and he joins the two considerations together without the least impropriety of thought. No sooner had man occasion for the promise than the promise was made to him. The Jews who were contemporary with Christ vainly supposed that the law given by Moses had in it a life-giving power. They stumbled at that stumbling-stone, for they sought eternal salvation, not by faith in Christ, but, as it were, by the works of the law; whereas the law was given for a widely different purpose, and not with that object at all. If, indeed, a law had been given which was capable of giving life, then, no doubt, justification would have been by the law. The man might have looked to it for his acquittal; but law, though essential for the regulation of manners, is, of its own nature, incapable of giving eternal salvation; for he who obeys its ordinances can, at most, but deserve to escape from its penalties.
II. Consider the security of the promise. "God, who cannot lie," made it. He who has made the promise to us cannot, from His very nature, fail in its fulfilment. There are many people in the world who, with the best intentions, are unable to help us; many who would fain do for us all that lies in their power, but who, from very ignorance, are useless in the day of trouble. There are others, again, on whom you have been leaning with fond hopes of substantial aid, who yet fail you when the day of calamity approaches fair-weather friends, who disappear at the very first symptom of a cloud. Many accidents, again, may prevent a man, who is really sincere, and bent upon helping us, from keeping his promise. Without any intention of so doing, he may-deceive us in the most important matters, and fail at the very crisis when he is wanted most; and of course, in many cases, we cannot conceal from ourselves that men have an interest in deceiving us. We cannot in all cases rely implicitly on their word. But, with respect to the promise which is now occupying our thoughts, not one jot or one tittle shall fail. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but God's word never. He cannot lie.
III. Note the extent of the promise. It embraces you and all mankind. God, who cannot lie, has set before us, with all plainness, and with most comfortable assurance, the hope of eternal life. There is but one road that leads to it, one door that opens into it; but the road, though a narrow one, is broad enough for all who really mean to travel on it. The door is wide enough for any man to enter in, and go in and out and find pasture. "He that hath the Son hath life."
Bishop Atlay, Penny Pulpit,new series, No. 777.
References: Titus 1:2. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. x., No. 568. Titus 1:6. Outline Sermons to Children,p. 26 2 Timothy 1:7. F. W. Farrar, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxx., p. 32 1 Timothy 1:9. Preacher's Monthly,vol. viii., p. 193.Titus 1:11-14. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxxii., No. 1894.Titus 1:12. L. Abbott, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxviii., p. 46. Titus 1:12 ii. 15. Expositor,1st series, vol. viii., p. 13 1 Timothy 1:13. W. C. Magee, Sermons at Bath,p. 220.