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 3:4-5
Read Titus 3
What verses talk about the past, present, and future of salvation? Can you match the verses that each go to the past, present, and future?
What were we like as slaves to sin? Past: At one time, we were slaves to sin (Titus 3:3). To appreciate salvation, we need to remember what God saved us from. We all have an aspect of salvation. We all respond and view it differently. For example, those who God has forgiven the most love Him the most. Criminals who accept Jesus may appreciate the grace of God more than those who are lesser sinners whom Jesus saves. Please note, I am not saying that one sinner is greater or lesser than the other. Sin is sin. It is how people respond to salvation. Those who have grown up in the church may not realize that they need God’s grace and mercy as much as addicts and murderers recognize their need for grace.
Look closely at Titus 3:3. Paul writes, “WE too were foolish.” We lived in darkness without spiritual understanding. We were “disobedient” by Satan. We knew the truth, but we followed lies. Our desires enslaved us. Our lives were full of malice, envy, and hatred. We were not all guilty of the same sins, but we all lived in rebellion toward God. We were all disobedient to HIs Word. Each of us needed the grace of God to save us from the penalty and power of sin. The worst sinners and the best sinners need forgiveness and deliverance from sin. All types of sinners need forgives – every human being on earth needs forgiveness.
Present: God saved us to do what is good (Titus 3: 4-8). Verses 4-8 show us the goals of salvation. God chose to save us instead of punishing us. The present of salvation tells us What God did, Why God saved us, How God saved us, And what God’s goal was in saving us. God gave us mercy we did not deserve. We do not earn salvation by obeying the right rules or doing righteous deeds. God showed us mercy. To understand mercy, we need to understand the relationship between mercy and justice. Justice would be getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. When an evil harms, the righteous cry out for justice. Justice demands our punishment, but God’s mercy gives us salvation.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the mercy and grace that you give to us. I pray that we will not take it for granted but appreciate all that you have done and do for us daily.
In Jesus Name
Amen
