Devotion: Titus 3:5

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…

Today’s verse is one I memorized as a child in the AWANA program. But it wasn’t until I was an adult that I really understood what it was talking about or the impact it truly had on one’s life. It is a great verse to memorize, especially when you are sharing your faith with others and showing them that it was through His mercy that we have been saved, not because of our own efforts. But let’s get into the devotion and explore it further.

Let’s take a look at the culture in which this book was intended. Paul was writing to Titus and the Cretan church. Their culture was notoriously for dishonesty and self-indulgence. But it was the false teachers in the church arguing that adherence to Jewish law was necessary for salvation that Paul was trying to combat. He insisted that it did not matter how good we were, how righteous, no person is able to save themselves.

It is not by our righteousness that we are saved but by His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth.

And what is that?

The washing of rebirth, or the washing of regeneration in other versions, is a metaphor for being “born again.” It represents how we are saved and signifies complete spiritual cleansing and the start of a new life.

Following that is the renewal of the Holy Spirit. This is the ongoing, transformative work of the Spirit in our life after we become believers that helps us to produce holiness and guides us in spiritual growth.

As believers we need to remember that it is not by our own works that we find mercy and receive grace. It is all from Him. Everything we have is because He loves us and has given us blessing upon blessing. Let your response be an outpouring of service to Him.

Prayer: Lord, I have done nothing to deserve Your grace. And I know I can do nothing to earn it. Thank You for loving me anyway and for saving me. Thank You for the washing of rebirth and for the ongoing renewal of the Holy Spirit in my life. Amen 

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