Daily Bread
Titus 3
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone
Observation:
Titus 3 reminds us of the “main thing”. Someone once said, “Remember the main thing is to remember to keep the main thing, the main thing.” Redundant but true! Here Paul reminds Titus of the “main thing”. The “main thing” is at one time we were all far from God and living selfishly for ourselves. But in God’s kindness, He sent a Savior to release us from the bondage of our sinful condition.
Most important 3:5 reminds us, “He saved us not because of the righteous things we had done, but in view of His mercy.” This is the main thing. The tendency in every human heart is to think we can earn God’s love by doing enough good things. But the Good News is that is a losing effort that we don’t have to even pursue.
God saved us because He loves us plain and simple. In His kindness and mercy (two words people don’t automatically associate with God) He has saved us. And He saved us not only through what Jesus did, but also the pouring out and renewal of the Holy Spirit. And we don’t just have a “smidgeon” of the Holy Spirit, but He has been poured out on us generously. God wants us to have all of Him and as His Holy Spirit, which is the means to our living a life once we have been “justified” (or made right) by grace.
Application:
As we remember how we once were and how we have received God’s kindness and mercy, it leads us to be kinder and more compassionate with others. The further removed we get from our own “grace awakening”, we can tend to get more judgmental of others. Our salvation begins and ends with grace. As the popular praise song goes, “Your grace is enough”.
Take some time to remember when you first realized that it was not because of the good things you had done or could do, that would save you, but because of God’s kindness in Jesus Christ. Or if you have never really had that encounter take some time to meditate on Titus 3:5. Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, one of the most influential pastors in America, credits this verse for his understanding God’s grace and his call to plant a church for lost people. And he sure has made good on extending the grace he has received to thousands of others. I would count myself as someone who came to experience God’s grace and calling through the ministry of Willow Creek.
Prayer: God you are kind and merciful to us. Help us to fall into your arms of grace when we have come to the end of our rope. We know you will catch us and fill us with your life giving and renewing Holy Spirit. Thank you for those who have shared this grace with us and help us to be mindful of passing on the Good News so more will know truly who you are, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone
Observation:
Titus 3 reminds us of the “main thing”. Someone once said, “Remember the main thing is to remember to keep the main thing, the main thing.” Redundant but true! Here Paul reminds Titus of the “main thing”. The “main thing” is at one time we were all far from God and living selfishly for ourselves. But in God’s kindness, He sent a Savior to release us from the bondage of our sinful condition.
Most important 3:5 reminds us, “He saved us not because of the righteous things we had done, but in view of His mercy.” This is the main thing. The tendency in every human heart is to think we can earn God’s love by doing enough good things. But the Good News is that is a losing effort that we don’t have to even pursue.
God saved us because He loves us plain and simple. In His kindness and mercy (two words people don’t automatically associate with God) He has saved us. And He saved us not only through what Jesus did, but also the pouring out and renewal of the Holy Spirit. And we don’t just have a “smidgeon” of the Holy Spirit, but He has been poured out on us generously. God wants us to have all of Him and as His Holy Spirit, which is the means to our living a life once we have been “justified” (or made right) by grace.
Application:
As we remember how we once were and how we have received God’s kindness and mercy, it leads us to be kinder and more compassionate with others. The further removed we get from our own “grace awakening”, we can tend to get more judgmental of others. Our salvation begins and ends with grace. As the popular praise song goes, “Your grace is enough”.
Take some time to remember when you first realized that it was not because of the good things you had done or could do, that would save you, but because of God’s kindness in Jesus Christ. Or if you have never really had that encounter take some time to meditate on Titus 3:5. Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, one of the most influential pastors in America, credits this verse for his understanding God’s grace and his call to plant a church for lost people. And he sure has made good on extending the grace he has received to thousands of others. I would count myself as someone who came to experience God’s grace and calling through the ministry of Willow Creek.
Prayer: God you are kind and merciful to us. Help us to fall into your arms of grace when we have come to the end of our rope. We know you will catch us and fill us with your life giving and renewing Holy Spirit. Thank you for those who have shared this grace with us and help us to be mindful of passing on the Good News so more will know truly who you are, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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