Text: Titus 3:5-7 (NASB77) 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
I. Not by deeds of righteousness but His mercy
- The Ten Commandments and the rest of the Law was a “bear” to try to live up to.
- Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:9 among many other passages have one message: We are not and cannot become acceptable to God by our works, by our good behavior.
II. Washing of regeneration
- (Message Version) … “He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit.”
- (NIV) “washing of rebirth”
- John chapter 3 Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Jesus said, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
- The issue is not whether we are bad or good but, whether we are dead or alive. Jesus is the Life.
III. Renewal by the Holy Spirit
- Renewal is all about the word “new.”
- We live under a New Covenant. generated and orchestrated by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
- We become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- He gives us a new orientation to God. Attraction to Him versus hostility or indifference.
- He gives us new sight. The Bible begins to make sense.
- He starts growing within us new desires. We want to become more loving.
- Though outwardly our bodies continue to wear out our spirits are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16).
- However, even though we are made new, the evil one remains up to his same old tricks: trying to get us to think less of ourselves than does God. The text says we are heirs.
- But the Holy Spirit continues to provide new inspiration.
- Romans 5:10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
- If the Lord accepted me while I was yet a sinner covered with the stains of my sins, why would he ever reject me as a son.
- That we should no longer live for ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:15).
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