Be Saved

How often do you reflect on when God saved you? I’m not necessarily talking about the time, day and circumstances of how it happened. Many of us can’t remember these details anyway. No, I’m talking about where you were spiritually, and where you are now because of the Holy Spirit. Titus reminds us in chapter 3 verses 3 through 7 which says:

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,”

Consider those words. We once were “foolish, disobedient and deceived”. Now apply that to those who currently do not believe, and always remember that we were once that way too. I believe that if we can force ourselves to remember where we were, we will be better equipped to help those who are still in that place. Titus reminds us that God saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Keeping that in mind will help us to remain humble, because the only thing that separates us from every unbeliever is God’s mercy. I love that portion of scripture because it lays things out so plainly while humbling any of us who think we are more deserving than others because of our so-called righteousness. What we can offer God makes no difference. It all comes down to what God offered us.

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I think we, as believers, should always remember what Titus says about us. We were once foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures; much like those we may know who do not believe in Christ. If not for God’s mercy, we still would be in that state. Titus says that God saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. It is this rebirth where the term “born-again” was coined. So, when you consider your unbelieving friends, do not believe for a second that you are somehow better than they are. Titus reminds us that it has nothing to do with what we did. It has everything to do with what God did. Being saved does not make us better, as far as being a more deserving people. It just makes us blessed, because the truth has been revealed to us, and we have accepted it.

Grace of God

If you are a believer, what led you to Christ? Was it the fear of hell, or the love of God? In my mind, those are the two leading factors of one coming to the faith; fear and love. But I wonder if the salvations that are strongest at the start are those that give their lives to Christ out of love; love for the grace of God. Any reason to come to Christ is a good one, but the bible teaches us that it is the grace of God that not only brings salvation, but also teaches us to remain faithful to him by saying “no” to sin. Titus chapter 2 verses 11 and 12 says this:

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,"

It is often God’s love and grace that brings us to lasting repentance. Because once we understand grace, I believe our heart softens to God’s way of thinking. His grace offers us salvation, but it also teaches us to remain faithful. Ask yourself, would you rather be led by the stick or the carrot? Would you rather be pressured, punished or coerced into doing what’s right, or would you rather be driven by the desire to please and align yourself with the one who has encouraged, loved, and sacrificed himself for you? I always encourage you to say “no” to ungodliness. But if the fear of hell hasn’t been enough to keep you on track, I encourage you to try the grace of God.

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It is the grace of God that can teach us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions. The grace of God can help us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives even in this present age. Those are words lifted directly from the bible. Everyone needs a healthy fear of the Lord, but I encourage you to focus most of your energy on the grace of the Lord. His love for you is a strong agent to remain faithful to him. When you think about the things you love about those you love, doesn’t it make you love them all the more? I encourage to continue to think about what you love about our heavenly Father. Love of him and his grace can be the key to setting you free if you are in bondage. After all, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commands”. Looking through the lens of Titus 2, that could be less of a warning and more of an answer as to how to stay faithful.