By Lisa Wilmore
Scripture to Ponder: “…At 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. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy…” (Titus 3:3-5NIV).
Dear Hearts,
Blessings and greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the only One who saved us from eternal death. Glory to God for sending His only Son to die for our sins and to be raised from the dead on the third day morning. If there is anything that excites me each and every day of my life it is knowing that JESUS SAVED MY LIFE! In the words of Luther Barnes, “I am so satisfied with my Savior. He means more to me than anything this world could ever offer me.”
In our aforementioned text, Paul writes this letter to Titus, his student and perhaps his son in the ministry. He sent Titus to a city called Crete and gave him charge to oversee the churches and even appoint leaders. This city was not known for any great or notable popularity but was known for having a lazy culture with gluttonous tendencies. Of course, this letter was written to give advice to leaders on how they should live godly, morally upright, and spiritually disciplined lives, free from worldly passions.
Particularly, in chapter 3, Paul informs Titus that salvation is not something we can earn. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (KJV). Indeed, we are saved solely by the mercy of God. Though we stood guilty before Him, God, in His love, sent Jesus Christ to redeem us. Paul continues: “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that, having been justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4–7).
Just imagine someone drowning in water. The only way they can be saved is if someone throws them a life preserver. Once the life preserver is thrown to them, they can grab hold of it and ultimately be pulled to safety. In the same way, that is what it is like with Jesus Christ. God threw us a life preserver, and that life preserver is Jesus Christ. Jesus suffered, died and rose that third day to secure our eternal life. So, it is only by His grace and mercy that we are saved. Thank God for Jesus Christ. We have been saved because of His mercy.
