We Are Saved

-


Scripture: Titus 33-7 (NIV)

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. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Devotion

The passage from Titus powerfully reminds us of God's transformative mercy and grace. The apostle Paul speaks candidly about our former state—foolish, disobedient, and deceived. This honest reflection on our past is not meant to condemn but to highlight the profound change God brings about in us.

It is through His mercy, not our own righteous deeds, that we are saved. This salvation is described as a washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, a metaphor for the spiritual cleansing and transformation that occurs when we accept Christ. Imagine the Holy Spirit pouring over us, cleansing us from our past misdeeds and renewing our hearts and minds. This image of rebirth signifies a fresh start, a new beginning in Christ.

Moreover, Paul emphasizes that this outpouring of the Holy Spirit is generous and abundant. God's love and mercy overflow into our lives through Jesus Christ, justifying us by grace, meaning that we are made right with God, not by our efforts but by His unmerited favor.

This grace transforms us into sons and daughters with the present assurance of eternal life. As heirs, we are not only children of God but also recipients of His promises. This hope of eternal life is not a distant dream but a present assurance that shapes our lives today, giving us a sense of security and hope.

As we reflect on this passage, remember our Savior's immeasurable kindness and love. Let us live in the renewal and hope that comes from being washed clean by the Holy Spirit, embracing our identity as valued heirs to the promise of eternal life, which makes us significant in God's eyes.

Prayer:

            Thank you, Lord, for the acts of justification and renewal you have given us through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. Thank you for the washing regeneration of the Holy Spirit. Without them, we would be lost in our sinful ways and without hope in this life and the next. Lord, thank you for all your many blessings to us. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reflecting on Reformation Day

-
  On October 31st, millions of Christians around the world celebrate Reformation Day, a commemoration of a pivotal moment in church history. It marks the day in 1517 when Martin Luther, a German monk and scholar, nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. This act, challenging the practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church, ignited what we now know as the Protestant Reformation. The Courage to Stand for Truth Reformation Day calls us to reflect on the courage it takes to stand for truth. Martin Luther faced immense opposition and risked his life to speak against the corruption and abuses he saw within the church. His conviction was rooted in a deep understanding of scripture and a sincere desire to return to the teachings of Christ. As we remember Luther's bravery, let us examine our own lives. Are we willing to stand firm in our beliefs, even when it is difficult? Do we seek truth in God's word and let it guide our actions? Script...
Read more

We Will Wait for the Lord

-
  Scripture: Psalm 33:20-24 (NIV) 20  We wait in hope for the Lord ; he is our help and our shield. 21  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22  May your unfailing love be with us, Lord , even as we put our hope in you. Devotion: The words of Psalm 33:20-22 resonate deeply with anyone who has ever found themselves in a position of waiting, hoping, and trusting in the Lord. "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him, our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you." These verses encapsulate a profound truth about the nature of our relationship with God and our hearts' posture as we navigate life's uncertainties. The concept of waiting in hope is not passive resignation but an active, expectant stance. It signifies a deep trust in God's timing and His perfect plan for our lives. As we wait, we do so with the assurance that God ...
Read more

Bold Testimony

-
  Scripture: Acts 4:8-12 (ESV) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9  if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10  let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11  This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Devotion: In this passage from Acts 4:8-12, we witness a decisive moment where Peter, emboldened by the Holy Spirit, addresses the rulers and elders of the people. His bold testimony is not just a defense of miraculous healing but a proclamation of the central truth of the Christian faith. ...
Read more