God’s Grace and Mercy

Titus 3:5

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,

Did anyone out there in the blogosphere ever have to earn an allowance growing up?  You know – where you had chores to do to earn your $.25 or whatever your allowance was for the week (I guess I just showed my age).  Taking out the trash – making my bed – taking a turn doing the dishes – were typical chores on my list.  Like Obie Taylor on Andy Griffith – I had friends who didn’t have to work for their allowance – and they got a bigger allowance too.  Unlike Obie – I never had the nerve to ask my father about it though – or to throw a fit on his office floor.

We don’t always get what we think we have earned.  I remember hitting what would have been a homer had the umpire (who happened to be my dad) not called it foul (it was fair all the way – lol). I thought I earned that long hit/homer – but I didn’t get it.  Life is not fair. To quote Andy Stanley – fair ended in the Garden of Eden – after the fall of mankind!

Most of us want what we earn – we even demand it.  We even want more than we earn.  We like bonuses and we like pay raises.  We like it when we feel we are appreciated for what we have done and what we have accomplished in life.

I would imagine most of us have read or heard Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  I would also imagine we have all read or heard the first part of Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death.   We have all sinned and we have all earned death (death here is equal to separation from God or hell). These two passages are part of the Roman Road.

Today’s passage speaks of grace – speaks of mercy – speaks of us not getting what we have earned but rather a gift from God.  We all like gifts!  Titus 3:5 – 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.  Let’s read it in partial context.  Titus 3:3–8 –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. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ 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, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

I am so thankful that God doesn’t give me what I deserve. I’m so thankful for His grace and mercy. I am so thankful that the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared in Christ Jesus our Lord!  How about you?

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.