"Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior" (Titus 1:1-3)

The Apostle Paul was the ultimate purpose-driven man. He knew his identity and mission in life, and this provided drive and determination for all that he did.

At the heart of his identity and mission was "the faith" (not just faith in a general sense). This singular faith was entrusted to those chosen of God and involved knowledge of "the truth" (not just truth in a general sense). This singular truth expresses itself in a godly lifestyle within all who believe and embrace it, and is ever focused on the hope of eternal life - the life of the age to come.

Paul clearly understood that his great purpose in life was to proclaim this true faith. Proclaiming it was a sacred trust which he never disregarded.

Paul's purpose is our purpose. We have been called out and radically transformed for the purpose of understanding, embracing, living and proclaiming the faith and the truth. Until this purpose becomes the very core of our existence we will not fully grasp the reason why we have been transformed.

The quest to discover both the meaning and power of the faith and the truth is ongoing. It is a task and purpose so great that it will take a lifetime to discover, but there is nothing more worthy of our best efforts. As we discover its power to transform our lifestyle and to energize us with the hope of the age to come we will have an increased desire to understand and embrace this faith and truth more fully.

May the focus and purpose of Paul's life truly be ours as well, and may we experience the life-changing power of the faith and the truth in a dynamic way today.

Steve