He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy. – Titus 3:5
The first three words of today’s verse are the simple core of the Gospel. He saved us. Only He could. In the Greek language, the original word for “saved“ is sozo, meaning deliverance. Pastor and author John MacArthur says, “It was a word used to describe rescuing someone from danger, preserving someone safe from harm, delivering someone out of potential ruin and disaster, salvaging someone in the midst of death.” As the Apostle Paul told Timothy, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). Consider the full implications of sozo and how Jesus rescued you out of the kingdom of Satan’s darkness and placed you safely in the Kingdom of God.
Two other things are important to realize. The basis of your salvation rests on the mercy of God the Father in sending His son to die to save you. Then you must acknowledge that it is not of your own doing, of any kind of righteous living or good works. No human effort could ever achieve what the death of Jesus provides. God focused His grace, His lovingkindness, His compassion, and His mercy on you in order to save you when you were lost in your own ignorance and sin.
Not only did sozo come to you to rescue you from eternal damnation, sozo keeps you alive, protected, preserved. You have been justified, sanctified, and will one day be glorified because of Jesus. Pastor and evangelist F.B. Meyer wrote, “Salvation is a great word. It includes the forgiveness that remembers our sin no more; deliverance from the curse and penalty of our evil ways; emancipation from the thrall of evil habit; the growing conformity of the soul to the image of Christ, and the final resurrection of the body in spiritual beauty and energy, to be forever the companion and vehicle of the redeemed spirit.”
Knowing these things, then, live in the victory of so great a salvation. That great mercy of God also sent you His Holy Spirit. The Lord’s love and benevolence toward you is continually present, and the safety of your life is now “hidden with Christ” (Colossians 3:3). Pray for Christians in government to walk in that same victory each day.
Today’s Verse: Titus 3:5
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,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
