31 January Titus 3

The summary of the whole gospel

Titus 3:4-8(NKJV) 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. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.This beautiful summary of the whole gospel mentions: - The manifestation, Titus 3:4(NKJV) But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,According to Bible Knowledge Commentary: “Kindness is God's beneficial provision that meets the need of sinful man. Kindness reflects the tender concern of God, providing for helpless, hapless man what he never could have provided for himself. This is the ‘starting point’ for our salvation.”God's kindness and love do not excuse men of their sins, but convict them of sin and lead them to repentance.- The basis, Titus 3:5a(NKJV) not by works of righteousness which we have done,Ephesians 2:8-9(NASB95) For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.Philippians 2:13(NASB95) for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.Remember salvation has three tenses:Past - we have been justified, a one-time event, and freed us from the penalty of sin.Present - a daily process of sanctification, freed us from the power of sin. 2 Corinthians 3:18(NASB95) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.Future – glorification at which time we are free once and for all from the presence and pleasure of sin and made like our Lord. We are saved from the presence of sin.- The means, Titus 3:5b-6(NKJV) 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,- The results of our salvation, Titus 3:7(NKJV) that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.- The fruit of our salvation, Titus 3:8(NKJV) This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.There is eternal life in Jesus Christ that is available to each one of us if we want it. And if you are longing for eternal life and thus stand confident and assured of an eternally blessed future, thank God for His amazing grace that changed your heart and made it new. If that is not true of you, humbly ask God for His grace to make it so in your life too, so that you have a confident assurance of being an heir in the hope of eternal life. Invite Jesus as your Lord and Saviour into your life today. Make Him the Master of your life.