Grace at Work. Titus 3:4-5.
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Christ’s Ambassadors,
Having shown how sin had disadvantaged us – a great preamble to our need of rescue from our hopeless slavery to sinful passions, Paul now introduces God’s saving work through Christ.
Goodness (v. 4). Paul has just talked about wicked humanity. He now speaks of God’s “goodness and loving kindness” appearing, as if to contrast divinity against humanity. This is to show that the rescue effort was from quarters completely different from those we were in. This is not nature at work, it is divine intervention.
Grace (v. 5a). God did not save us in response to anything we had done. The picture Paul painted earlier of our sinful nature leaves no doubt that we were hopeless and could not save ourselves. God kicked in with his mercy and as undeserving as we were, he saved us. That is what grace is all about – totally, unmerited favor.
Generation (v. 5b). By washing us clean from our sins, God regenerated life in us who were dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:4-5). This brings the picture of God creating anew. When God had formed man, he “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7). When God was creating us anew in Christ, he renewed us by “the Holy Spirit.” In ancient biblical languages (as in many modern languages), spirit and breath have the same root. So, we have been given a new beginning in Christ. Let us exploit its benefits of communion with God to the maximum.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.