Salvation IS BY MERCY

Titus 3:5 “

“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 Spirit” (Titus 3:5).The Apostle Paul gives some excellent points about salvation here. The vast majority of church people do not believe this text but it is still in the book!FIRST—MERIT ELIMINATED“Not by works of righteousness.” Very plainly this text says you cannot save yourself. You cannot do enough good to merit salvation. No one is going to walk up and down the streets of glory and brag about how they were so good that they got into heaven. The prophet Isaiah said “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). That is a devastating statement about our works. If Isaiah had said all our sins are as filthy rags, we would have had no trouble believing what he said. But he said all our “righteousnesses” are as filthy rags. Our best is condemned here. That puts light on the greatness of the holiness of God. God is so holy that even our best is not holy enough. When man fell through sin it affected every aspect of his conduct so that he is incapable of doing enough good to merit heaven. Yet, man does not believe the Scripture and goes on thinking that if he does enough good deeds he will gain heaven. Man does not realize his own depravity nor the holiness of God. Man’s best is not good enough. “Filthy rags” is how God describes our best in our unsaved condition. If you want to be saved you need the righteousness that will be accepted in heaven by God and that righteousness is in Jesus Christ.SECOND—MERCY EXALTED“But according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Mercy, not merit is how we are saved. That mercy does two important things. It provides regeneration and renewing.• Regeneration. “The washing of regeneration.” This is the new birth and it comes via the blood of Christ “The washing of regeneration” does not refer to baptism as some think—that would be a good work which, as we have already seen, is futile for salvation. This washing of regeneration is the cleansing away of our sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. It is a spiritual work which God performs for us because of His mercy.• Renewing. “Renewing of the Holy Spirit.” This refers to spiritual growth after the new birth. Paul repeats this emphasis on growth after salvation in the verses that follow this verse. In verse 7 it is justification (salvation) then heirs. In verse 8 it is belief (salvation then behavior (good works). It is not behavior (works) than belief (salvation). Works are the fruit of salvation, not the foundation (Ephesians 2:8–10). After we are saved the Holy Spirit helps us to develop spiritually. And it is all of God’s mercy, not of our merit.PROFITABLE PR