A Faith that is Accessible (Titus 1:4)
Paul refers to Titus as being part of a “common faith” with him (Titus 1:4). Peter says that believers have a “faith of equal standing” with him in 1 Peter 1:1. Such a truth is the great equalizer for Christians. All Christians stand on equal ground as sinners saved by God’s grace shown to us in Christ (Eph 2:8-9).
Such a “common-ness” to the Christian faith reorients us. It means that I don’t have to be a “super” Christian to make it into heaven or to experience God’s approval or love. (All Christians are “saints”, not just those the Roman Catholic church deems [Col 1:2; Phil 1:1]). Access into this faith is freely and graciously given to us in Christ by the Holy Spirit. I’m not worse than the Christian heroes I look up to, or better than those I think should get their act together. I’m on the same plane and same level as a participant in a common faith.
Now this does not mean that all roles and positions are obliterated in the Christian life or church. A child and a father may both share a common faith in Christ, but the father is given the role of leading and while the child is called obey. A pastor is given a role of shepherding and leading while congregants are called to submit to their leaders. Yet these roles don’t nullify the fact that all parties who are Christians share together a common faith. It also does not mean that there won’t be greater rewards for some in heaven than others, which Scripture seems to hint at. But at the same time, all who get to heaven come through the same “common faith” and share the glorious reward of living eternally with God’s people in resurrected bodies on the New Earth.
Yet such a faith is not common in the sense that is ordinary or to be looked down upon. It is glorious and it is wonderful. It is something we are to nourish through reading God Word, prayer, and fellowship.
May God grant us humility as we consider the “common” nature of our faith, and may He grant us joy as we consider the remarkable and thrilling consequences of faith, which Calvin says is the open hand laying hold of the promises of the gospel in Christ.
