Justified by Grace

Date: March 24, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

Bible Scripture Verse – Titus 3:4-7

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.

Listen for God’s Voice

Thank you Heavenly Father for your great love and mercy, which you have shown to us through your son Jesus Christ. Thank you for the incredible gift of salvation that you have given us, not because of any works that we have done, but because of your mercy and grace.  Help us to be kind and loving to those around us, just as you have been kind and loving to us. Give us hearts of compassion and forgiveness, so that we may be a reflection of your grace and mercy to those who are lost and hurting.  We ask all of these things in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Explore History – Who wrote it, when and to what audience? Key people in the story?

Titus was written by the Apostle Paul to his fellow missionary friend, Titus, who was a leader in the early Christian church around 63 AD, while he was under house arrest in Rome.  Paul was instructing Titus on organizing and overseeing the churches on the island of Crete and was encouraging him to appoint qualified leaders and to teach the members of the church about living a godly life.  He was emphasizing that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, rather than something to be earned through good works. 

Study and Savor – Key Words

the kindness and love of God our Savior : This phrase emphasizes God's benevolence and loving nature. It suggests that God's character is marked by a desire to do good and to show kindness to humanity.

He saved us: This phrase refers to the salvation that is offered through faith in Jesus Christ. It suggests that we are in need of salvation and that God has provided a way for us to be saved.

not because of righteous things we had done: This phrase emphasizes that salvation is not something that can be earned by good works or moral behavior. It is a gift of God's grace that is offered to us through faith.

but because of his mercy: This phrase emphasizes that salvation is a result of God's mercy and not something that we deserve or have earned.

washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit: This phrase refers to the transformation that takes place in believers through the power of the Holy Spirit. It suggests that through faith in Jesus Christ, we are made new and given new life.

Whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior: This phrase emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is given to us abundantly as a result of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Being justified by his grace: This phrase refers to the fact that through faith in Jesus Christ, we are made righteous in the eyes of God. It is not something that we have earned but is a gift of God's grace.

We might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life: This phrase emphasizes that through faith in Jesus Christ, we become heirs to the promise of eternal life. It suggests that our ultimate destiny is not determined by our own efforts or achievements, but by our faith in Jesus Christ.

Summarize and Share

Have you ever felt like you were not good enough for God? Like no matter how hard you try, you can never measure up to His standards? The good news is that God's love and grace are not dependent on our own efforts or merit. In fact, as we read in Titus 3:4-7, God's mercy and grace are freely given to us through faith in Jesus Christ.

This passage emphasizes that we are saved not by anything that we have done, but solely by the mercy and grace of God. This means that we don't have to try to earn our salvation through good works or moral behavior. Instead, we simply need to trust in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made on our behalf.

But salvation is just the beginning. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are transformed and made new. We are given new life and a new identity as children of God. We become heirs to the promise of eternal life, which is the ultimate hope that we have as believers.

So what does this mean for us today? It means that we don't have to be weighed down by our own failures and shortcomings. It means that we can approach God with confidence, knowing that His love and grace are freely given to us. It means that we can live each day with hope and purpose, knowing that our ultimate destiny is secure in Christ.

But it also means that we have a responsibility to live our lives in a way that reflects the love and grace that we have received. We are called to be kind and compassionate to those around us, to forgive others as we have been forgiven, and to share the good news of salvation with those who are lost and hurting.

So my challenge to you today is this: embrace the mercy and grace of God that is freely given to you through faith in Jesus Christ. Allow yourself to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and live each day with the hope and purpose that comes from being a child of God. And don't forget to share the good news of salvation with those around you, so that they too may experience the transformative power of God's grace.

Bible Cross Reference

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

John 1:12-13 " Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."

Romans 3:23-24 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."