“Triune Salvation” (Titus 3:3–7)

Series: “Titus: Godly People, Godly Church,” #15Text: Titus 3:3–7

By: Shaun Marksbury Date: August 25, 2024

Venue: Living Water Baptist ChurchOccasion: PM Service

Introduction

Even as Christians, we need constant reminders in our lives about the gospel message. For instance, I was just listening to a podcast about encouraging parents, and they were speaking about how common it is to see early professions of faith. However, sometimes, that 8-year-old with bright eyes grows into a moody 15-year-old who says she doesn’t believe anymore. That’s not necessarily the fault of the parents, as salvation is a work of God; yet, we don’t want to think of a profession of faith as a box to be checked and never revisited.

We see this with adults in churches, as well. An older pastor at a church I attended once told me that I didn’t need to talk a lot about the gospel because his people already knew the gospel. However, I found that they were rusty on some key points and completely unaware of other gospel points when I talked to them individually. They also said they didn’t feel like they knew enough share the gospel message.

Not knowing the gospel is a problem with obvious ramifications. It may be that there are false converts, and genuine converts may not have grown in their knowledge of salvation. It’s also a problem with not-so obvious ramifications: it may be that a Christian doesn’t know how the gospel helps them to live holy lives.

That’s what we see here. The Cretans needed several reminders. For instance, they had to be told to stop resisting those in charge, such as the government. Beyond simple obedience issues, they did not think of others and had to be told to be ready for good works. Instead, in verse two, we see that they spoke with malice, were fighters, harsh, and generally discourteous. Yet, they didn’t just need command — they needed to be reminded about the gospel, as did Titus himself.

We all need reminders of the gospel if we are to live righteous lives. So, to help us to know how God transforms us, we’re reading three truths about how the Triune God has saved us. We’re saved because of the kindness of God the Father, because of the washing of God the Spirit, and because of the justification of God the Son. Let’s consider the first of these.

We’re Saved Because of the Kindness of God the Father (vv. 3–5a)

For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy…

He begins by reminding us of our former life. Before Christ, we can be like children. Consider the indictment against us in v. 3. First, he says they were once “foolish,” without understanding and willingly ignorant. Second, he says they were once “disobedient” (the same word used in 1:16 to speak of unbelievers) — toward parents, rulers, and authorities, and God. That does all sound childish, but adults are not free from this spiritual condition.

Paul continues; he says they were once “deceived” or “being led astray” (ESV). Like children, they would believe anything. Heather and I were once talking about a poor woman we know. A fortune teller told her that she would find the man of her dreams in Europe. She met a man in Spain, married him, gave birth to his baby, and spent several tumultuous years with him. That then turned into a divorce and her eventual return to America, but not before a bitter, international custody battle over the child. Before Christ, we’ll believe all manner of foolishness, and our willful disobedience to the things of God leaves harsh consequences. Paul doesn’t stop there, though.

Fourth, Paul says they were once “enslaved to various lusts and pleasures.” Children become fixated on some desired toy or treat, and adults get fixated on certain lifestyles and habits. Yet, this is what Christians are set free from, according to Romans 6:6, 12. Hedonism describes our lives before Christ, not afterward.

Fifth, he says they were once “spending our life in malice and envy.” The Reformers talked about our depravity outside of Christ, the ability of any person to engage in a sin and take it to its wicked extreme, especially coupled with the jealousy in our hearts. Scripture says those continually suppressing the truth about God in unrighteousness will become full of evil and envy (Rom. 1:29) and will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:21).

Sixth, he says they were once “hateful,” meaning despicable (LSB). Now, he next says “hating one another,” so this first hatred here is vertical. Clement of Rome, writing in the first century, uses this word to speak of an unbeliever’s hatred of God (1 Cl 35:645; 1 Cl 35:6). It is also a general description of one’s low estate before God. We engaged in despicable deeds before God, drawing the wrath and hatred of God. People don’t always think about how their works can draw the holy ire of God.

Seventh, again, he says they were once “hating one another.” This hatred is horizontal. James 4:1–3 states that lusts warring inside drive people to war with each other — even Christians. Sin separates, it always separates. The Jews hated the Greeks, the poor hated the rich, slaves hated their master, and vice versa to all.

Wow. So, what do the Cretans bring to the communion table? Only the gospel turns war-torn hearts toward one another.

So, we read that something “appeared” in the next verse. It says that it was “the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind.” Of course, any time we read about this appearance, we would rightly think of the incarnation, though that isn’t quite the focus of this verse. It’s God the Father, the one initiating salvation, so Paul calls Him “God our Savior.”

What appeared? Here, we read His kindness appeared, which we read elsewhere leads people to repentance (Rom. 2:4). It comes with His love; and this is the Greek word from which we get philanthropy, “love for mankind.” We could call the gospel “the philanthropy of God,” for it is an undertaking solely on His part to show kindness toward those who would have no hope outside of His riches. Of course, this appeared in Christ, but he focus here is on the love and kindness of the Father.

What earns this? There’s that important passage that everyone should memorize, Ephesians 2:8–9 — “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” That comes after verses also describing our lives without Christ. Even though we deserved wrath, God gives salvation wholly by His grace.

We see that at the beginning of v. 5. In other languages, word order doesn’t matter as much, so you can have the subject of the sentence come later. So, while this is an accurate translation, Paul actually begins v. 5 with the words “not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness” or “not by works which we did in righteousness” (LSB). It’s almost as if he is emphasizing this thought, keeping that up front in the reader’s thinking.

That underscores what we already considered in Ephesians 2:8–9. We can also look in the Book of Romans to see this explained. In Romans 3:27–28, we read that salvation is not through works of the Law. Then, in 4:2–6, we see that it was Abraham’s belief in God that justified him, not this leaving Ur of the Chaldees or obeying God. It’s not through circumcision or other works; as 4:16 says, “For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace.” Justification and salvation are not earned by human merit.

Paul notes elsewhere. In Galatians 2:16, he says, “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.” The Galatians had been confused about this, in part due to Peter and Barnabas’s errors. They began to think that personal holiness was a means of gaining and maintaining salvation, and needed the reminder we all need. It doesn’t matter if one is Romans, Galatian, Cretan, Jew, or Gentile — no one is perfected before God by the works of the flesh.

So, God saves us, and we read it is “according to His mercy” or “because of” it. It’s mercy because we are in a desperate situation, deserving wrath. Yet, He’s shown mercy to us. This is something we need to hear — when we’ve sinned, we don’t clean up ourselves for God. We can’t keep our salvation through good works. Our salvation is entirely the mercy of God the Father.

We find out about this salvation through the work of the Holy Spirit. He’s the one who inspired this word. He’s also the one who delivers this message to our hearts. Let’s briefly consider the Spirit’s contribution next:

We’re Saved Because of the Washing of God the Spirit (v. 5b)

…by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

The words “by washing” can be confusing. God is using means by which to save us, but what does this mean? Well, several places speak of God saving through something or someone. For instance: We are saved through Christ in John 3:17 — “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” In Romans 5:9, we read that we have been justified by the blood of Christ. Even so, we are also saved through the preaching of Scripture; 1 Corinthians 1:21 says, “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (also cf. 15:1–2).

Now, we read that we’re saved through washing. Some contend that the apostle speaks of physical baptism. That seems to go against everything we have already said about human works and merit, however. If circumcision never saved anyone, how can getting dipped or sprinkled with water accomplish salvation?

Scripture does describe a process like washing associated with salvation. This harkens back to the new covenant promises in Ezekiel 36:25–29. Let’s turn there and note how many “I wills” are there. Yahweh says,

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God. Moreover, I will save you from all your uncleanness…

We could go on to highlight the monergistic or the working of God alone in this passage to give people what they don’t deserve. Yet, note also all the references to water in this passage — God promises to cleanse His people from their sins.

This is an image used in the New Testament. In Ephesians 5:26, metaphorical water from Christ cleanses the church with “the washing with the Word.” Both James 1:18 and 1 Peter 1:23 says that God gives us new life through the Word. The water is spiritual, meaning that it comes through the Holy Spirit. In other words, this is the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit.

What does the washing or baptism of the Holy Spirit accomplish? Here, this washing leads to regeneration, meaning rebirth or renewal of life. Regeneration speaks of the new world (Matt. 19:28), a world to come with the restoring of all things (Acts 3:21), but here the reference is to people. As one study notes, “This phrase refers to the work of the Holy Spirit, who in a moment makes a person new by the cleansing of regeneration (the new birth). This new nature is the ground for living the Christian life and performing good deeds.” Thus, this is exactly what the Cretans needed to hear.

There have been errors concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirt. Again, some people thought this referred to a physical water baptism. Others though this referred to a second work of the Holy Spirit after salvation, that Christians can get saved, but they need a second baptism. Instead, this happens at salvation and makes salvation possible — a point we remember when we get physically baptized in water, and one we ponder when we repent of sin and try to follow after the Spirit’s leading.

As we continue to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in Scripture, He renews us. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (same word for renewing). A study notes that this is the “continual process of Christian living is enabled by the Holy Spirit, resulting in growth in character and good works.” So, the Holy Spirit not only makes it possible for us to live holy lives, He is constantly at work to cause us to think differently.

So, God has done quite a bit for us in these verses. Yet, we still have two more, and we see that there is special focus on the Son there. Let’s consider that now.

We’re Saved Because of the Justification of God the Son (vv. 6–7)

whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The Holy Spirit is immaterial as we understand matter, of course, so there are lots of images of Him in Scripture. In this case, as is often used of Him in Scripture, He’s compared to a liquid that can be poured upon believers. Again, that’s the baptism of the Holy Spirit which happens at conversion.

This only comes through Jesus Christ our Savior. Previously, we read about God our Savior, and now we read about Jesus our Savior. He is on the same level as God. In fact, we see all three members active in just this verse: the Father pours out the Holy Spirit through His Son. All the members of the Godhead work our salvation.

To be clear, this is the moment of justification, an important point in our salvation process. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” One preacher put it like this: imagine that you are a convicted inmate sitting on death row, awaiting your execution in twelve months, and you get a visit from your doctor. The doctor tells you that you have an advanced stage of cancer and will be dead in six months. Now imagine that the doctor has a treatment that will cure you. What does it matter? You are dead either way. What if you also get a call from the governor now — he’s not only putting a stay on your execution, but he has decided to grant you pardon. You are free to go. That’s justification. The cancer-treatment is sanctification — and you can walk forward in the freedom of new life.

Justification occurs because of the finished work of Christ. Perhaps you’ve heard of the cartoon of Saint Peter standing at the pearly gates with a scale, judging the works of those who have died to see if they can go into heaven. Roman Catholics teach that justification comes at the end of your life and is dependent upon what you can earn through good works. However, justification was won for believers with the work of Jesus Christ.

Thus, the LSB places v. 7 in past tense, “having been justified.”  Justification is based on His grace, not on our works. In fact, there’s an intensified pronoun there — this is “by His grace.” Mark it, underline it, for whatever is happening here has nothing to do with us.

The verse also says that we are justified that “we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” We’re so secured that we can know that we’re safe into eternity. We have eternal life now because of what Christ accomplished for us.

Conclusion

We’ve only scratched the surface as to what the Triune God, does for us. For now, we must keep fixed in our minds the truth of the gospel: our salvation and cleansing are from God alone. That means that those of us who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit have unity in who we were and who we are now. When we are unified in this gospel message, we will operate as a sound church.

We’ll get more into what this means. For now, know that there is power in dealing with temptations which arise to throw you off course. The power of the Holy Spirit and the communion of the sound church helps destroys the entanglement of these past weeds. May we all take regular rest in the good news of the gospel message!