Titus 3

Pray Psalm 115.12, 13.
The LORD has been mindful of us;
He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
He will bless those who fear the LORD,
Both small and great.

Read Titus 3.4-6.

Prepare.
1. How has it come about that you are saved?

2. How is it clear that salvation is all of grace?

Meditate.
Entrance into the redemption of the Lord is all of grace. He “appeared” for our salvation as Jesus came among us, fulfilling all the righteousness of God’s Law and bearing all its judgment, so that we, through His righteousness, death, and resurrection, might find liberation from sin and life ever more.

Note the many ways Paul emphasizes the grace of God in our redemption: He saved us; by His mercy; through Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit; and not by any works of righteousness on our part. The Spirit is given “richly” to those who come to Jesus Christ by grace through faith, and they are adopted as children of the living God (Jn. 1.12). The Spirit’s work is to regenerate those who believe and to “birth” them into the life of renewal and restoration which is the redemption of God (Gal. 4.1-7).

Paul’s point is clear: Since God has gone to such gracious lengths, has so completely saved, regenerated, and renewed us, and has “richly” given us of His Spirit, how can we not be people who flourish in works consistent with the character of such a good and loving God?

God is always the initiator with men. We would have no benefit from God were it not for His goodness and loving kindness (v. 4). He is the giver of life, the granter of every good and perfect gift, the one who sustains us by His steadfast love and faithfulness. God’s goodness and loving kindness are always at work among men, even those who deny and despise Him (Matt. 5.43-48). Thus, when it pleases this gracious God to cause His grace to “appear” to men in a saving way, they cannot resist Him; indeed, they will gladly and freely receive Him and the grace He extends them through Jesus Christ.

Only the miracle of grace can deliver lost sinners – unbelieving, disobedient, wandering, lustful, malicious, and hateful – from the misery of their sinful and fallen state. Thanks and praise are always in order, therefore, as we consider how great and rich are the grace and mercy of God to wretched people such as we.

Reflect.
1. Why can we not save ourselves by our good works?

2. How does the Holy Spirit work in our salvation?

3. How does the work of the Spirit bring the work of Christ to completion in us?

Strange, isn’t it, how we were so drowned in wickedness that we could not be purified? We needed a new birth! For this is implied by “regeneration.” For as when a house is in a ruinous state no one places props under it nor makes any addition to the old building, but pulls it down to its foundations and rebuilds it anew. So in our case, God has not repaired us but made us anew. John Chrysostom (344-407), Homilies on Titus 5

Thank You for making me a new person, Lord! Help me to live out that newness and salvation today as I…

Pray Psalm 115.9-13.
How do you need the Lord’s help today? From what do you need Him to shield you? Be specific in calling on Him for grace to help in your time of need.

Sing Psalm 115.9-13.
Psalm 115.9-13 (Plainfield: Nothing But the Blood of Jesus)
All who trust in Jesus yield – ever to His Name be glory! –
find in Him their help and shield – ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the Lord!  He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Blessings from our gracious Lord – ever to Your Name be glory –
will attend us evermore – ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, Lord, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).