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. Tit. 3:4-7 (NIV)
Dear heavenly Father, to meditate on your Word is to submit to a grace-bombardment on our unbelief. This passage from Titus is a perfect example. What an all out assault these verses wage against our inadequate thoughts of you and incomplete view of the gospel.
You’re so much kinder than we can imagine, and so much more loving than we ever hoped you’d be. Like Abraham, we weren’t seeking you when you found us. Your kindness and love appeared to us out of nowhere—actually, out of heaven. It was entirely an act of measureless mercy and sovereign grace on your part.
As surely as we had zero part in our first birth, so we contributed “zilch” to our second birth. We didn’t “show promise”; you just kept your irrevocable promise to redeem a family as numerous as stars, sand, and dust (Gen. 12-17). Hallelujah, for the mathematics of mercy!
And how generous you were, and remain, Father. You didn’t just “dribble” a little Holy Spirit on us; you poured him out on me “liberally through Jesus”—copious amounts of heart washing, soul-engaging, whole-being-satisfying goodness. By your grace, we’ve been justified freely and fully; all our guilt is gone and our shame is shattered. The saints in heaven may be more joyful than us, but they aren’t more justified, loved, and secure. Praise the glory of your name and wonders of the gospel!
Heir-ship and hope now define the rest of our lives in this world. Father, because the gospel—this gospel is true, may we live as conduits of your grace for the blessing of others. We have nothing to prove or earn, just a gospel to enjoy and share. What a God you are; what a calling we have. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ wonderful and merciful name.
