Titus 3:1-15: a reflection

1Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. 3For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 5not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior; 7that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you insist confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men; 9but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning, 11knowing that such a one is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned. 12When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there. 13Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them. 14Let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet necessary needs, that they may not be unfruitful. 15All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Paul reminds Titus of what we once were and what God has done for us, and the contrast is the heart of the gospel. We were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts, living in malice and envy, he says. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us. We did not save ourselves by our own righteousness; we were saved by God's kindness and mercy, when we deserved no such thing. Salvation came not from our works but from God's mercy, poured out on us who were once lost.

Notice the ground of our salvation: not our works, but God's mercy. Paul is careful to say it was not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves; we did not earn our salvation, did not deserve it, were in fact foolish, disobedient, lost. It was according to God's mercy that he saved us, his kindness and love appearing to rescue those who could not rescue themselves. The salvation is God's gift, flowing from his mercy, not a wage earned by our righteousness. We contributed nothing but our need; God's mercy did it all, saving us who were lost, washing and renewing us, making us heirs of eternal life. It was mercy, not merit, that saved us.

That is worth resting in, for we are saved by God's mercy and kindness, not by our own works of righteousness. We can imagine that we must earn our salvation, make ourselves righteous enough to deserve it, and despair when we fall short; but Paul says God saved us not by our works but by his mercy, when we were foolish and lost. Our salvation rests not on our merit but on God's mercy. Do not think you must earn your salvation by your own works of righteousness; God saved you by his mercy and kindness, when you deserved no such thing. Rest in the mercy and kindness of God, who saved you not by your own works of righteousness but according to his mercy, as Paul reminds us we were once lost but were saved by God's kindness; for salvation is God's gift, flowing from his mercy and not from our merit, and we who were foolish and lost are saved not by what we did but by what God in his mercy has done.

Lord, Paul reminds Titus of what we once were and what you have done for us, and the contrast is the heart of the gospel. We were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts, living in malice and envy, he says. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us. I did not save myself by my own righteousness; I was saved by your kindness and mercy, when I deserved no such thing. Show me the ground of my salvation: not my works, but your mercy. Paul is careful to say it was not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves; I did not earn my salvation, did not deserve it, was in fact foolish, disobedient, lost. It was according to your mercy that you saved me, your kindness and love appearing to rescue one who could not rescue himself. The salvation is your gift, flowing from your mercy, not a wage earned by my righteousness. I contributed nothing but my need; your mercy did it all. Let me rest in that, for I am saved by your mercy and kindness, not by my own works of righteousness. I can imagine that I must earn my salvation, make myself righteous enough to deserve it, and despair when I fall short; but Paul says you saved me not by my works but by your mercy, when I was foolish and lost. Keep me from thinking I must earn my salvation by my own works of righteousness; you saved me by your mercy and kindness, Lord, when I deserved no such thing. Help me rest in your mercy, who saved me according to your mercy and made me an heir of eternal life.