A Study Of The Book Of Titus.
Lesson 13 Chapter 3:4 – 5
By Pastor Randy Johnson
- Verse 4 “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,”
- While verse 3 paints a pretty awful picture of us in our lost state verse 4 allows us to truly see what changed us “….the kindness and love of God our Saviour…”
a. For all those folks that believes they do something for salvation verse 4 proves you wrong without a doubt.
b. It was the kindness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ that brought it about. The first chapter of Ephesians gives a more detailed explanation as does so many other scriptures. Ephesians 1:3, 6 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (6.) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
c. Ephesians 2:7 "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
d. Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,"
- It is this kindness and love that changed us, man has never; nor never changed themselves from bad to good, it is impossible. Romans 3:11 "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God."
- It was grace that brought it to us; period.
- Verse 5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
- “Not by works of righteousness which we have done…” Any sort of an action is a work on our part. Even our believing was a gift to us.
a. This destroys baptismal salvation. Matthew 3:15 “And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness…”
b. all righteousness comes as a gift from God from start to finish there is absolutely no action on our part.
c. Works is a reason for us to boast and salvation includes no boasting on our part. Ephesians 2:9 “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – the scriptures could not be more clearer on this point.
d. Galatians 3:11 - 12 "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12.) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them."
- C. H. Spurgeon once said: "Works of righteousness are the fruit of salvation, and the root must come before the fruit. The Lord saves His people out of clear, unmixed, undiluted mercy and grace, and for no other reason."
- “…but according to his mercy he saved us…” This is another clear statement that salvation includes nothing on our part.
a. The word “mercy” means – compassion – it means simply “pity” only by Gods pity did He save us and for no other reason.
b. It is for this single reason we owe God all glory. Romans 15:9 "And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."
c. Love and grace brought salvation but mercy or pity must have been first. – It shows the unworthiness and the inability of it on our part. 1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
d. Paul contrasts our lost condition with the overwhelming mercy of God. God's mercy toward us provides the greatest reason for us to be merciful to others.
e. Micah 7:18 - 19 "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. (19.) He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
- “…by the washing of regeneration…” the word “washing” means – bathe – it also describes the washing of a garment – I believe Ephesians 5:26 is a proper understanding of defining this word. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” - we are cleansed by Gods word as though we were a dirty garment that was all cleaned. - 1 Peter 1:18 - 19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (19.) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"
- “…and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” the word “renewing” means – renovation – The Holy Spirit rebuilds our inward man; He is the “Master Contractor” that rebuilds our hearts.
a. The Psalmist prayed: Psalms 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
b. Colossians 3:10 “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”
c. The renewing of the inner man is only possible by the workings of the Holy Spirit; the death of Jesus Christ; and the pity, love, and grace of God. Verse 6 “Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;”
d. For one to say that salvation is brought about in any other way is to call God a liar. 1 John 5:10 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”
