God Saved Us

“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. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:3-5)

God saved us. Of all the things the Bible says, this is the most important for us to believe: God saved us.

There’s a part of you that wonders why that’s necessary. “Salvation? Isn’t this a bit overdramatic? My life is going pretty well. It sure doesn’t seem like I need salvation, do I?” Yes! Yes, you do.

From what? From you. From your sin. “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.” Notice that Paul used the word “we.” He wasn’t writing about the bad people “out there.” He was writing about himself. About Christians. About you. What were all of us like by nature? Sinful!

Paul listed seven different words to describe our sinfulness. Most of them are adjectives, not action words. We haven’t just done sinful things sometimes. We have been sinful to our very cores.

Do you know what we need? Salvation! We needed someone to save us from the hell that we deserve.

God saved us. When we were at our most sinful, “the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared.” We heard about God and his grace appearing earlier in this book of Titus (see Titus 2:11). Who is that talking about? Jesus! When Jesus—“the kindness and love of God”—appeared, he saved us. Jesus lived the perfect life that we have failed to live. Jesus took all our sins to the cross and died the death that we deserve. Jesus rose from the dead and promises eternal life to all who believe in him. God saved us!

This is so important! This is so hard to believe. Don’t we have to do our part? No! “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

God saved us. Never get tired of hearing that. Let go of your goodness. Never trust in it! Place all your sins at the foot of Jesus’ cross. Trust they are forgiven. Rejoice that God saved us!

Dear Jesus, at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved. Yet, when we were at our worst, you came. You came to save us by your mercy. Thank you for your salvation! Amen.

Pastor Nathan