Have Confidence in His Promises

To get the most out of my comments, read Titus 3:1-8





Title in NIV: Justified by grace.





In verses one and two, Paul tells Titus to remind the people how to act. Remember Titus 2 tells the people how to behave and vs. 5 and 10 tell us why: 1) so that no one will malign the word of God and 2) they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. Behaving well is also profitable for everyone (3:8).


Titus 3:3 describes how people behaved before our Savior appeared. They had been influenced by the people in the land and distorted Moses' teachings. (They were supposed to get rid of all the pagans and idol worshipers who would malign the word of God, but they did not drive them out completely: Judges 1:21; 1:28-29;Joshua 16:10; 17:13) A reminder of who they were before Christ is given to compare what they now have in Christ if they will trust in God and devote themselves to what is good (vs. 8).


God prepared a change for people and because he loved us and wanted to give us salvation, he sent his Son. Thank God he did not leave us in the 'vs. 3' state. He provided a way out of that depraved state. I love the first word in vs. 4: 'But'. "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us...." Romans is a good chapter to read to see this same word: but. Romans 3:21 begins, "But now a righteousness from God... has been made known...". There is usually a positive statement after the word 'but'. BUT, we have to choose it. For example, John 3:16-17. ...but have eternal life." And, "...but to save the world through him." And, John 3:21, "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light...". I have gotten into the habit of circling all the 'buts' in my bible because I love the statement after that word. It is encouraging because I know I am choosing to walk in the steps he has for me daily. I may not be perfect, but I am striving to do all that he wants me to do.



Verse 4-7: Thank the Lord for mercy. Because of his mercy, God shows us grace and because of that grace, He sent his son for our salvation. Because of his grace, we are justified. His son promised us the Holy Spirit if we would be baptized into his son. To say it another way: thank the Lord for not giving us what we deserve (mercy). For not punishing us for what we have done even though it is the consequence. God showed us his love and salvation (grace) and provided a way for us to be free from guilt and shame (justified). He provided his son, Jesus. Jesus promised a counselor (Holy Spirit) if we obey and put on a new self (baptism) and follow him. God did all this, not because of the good things we have done, but because he is a God who shows mercy. Because of his grace, we are heirs and have hope in eternal life.



God knows if we accept his grace, mercy, justification, Holy Spirit, then we will want to be a new creation through baptism and our response will be one of service, gratitude, praise, thankfulness, humility and on and on. We will want to devote ourselves to doing what is good if we have the Holy Spirit in our life.



Live is challenging. We may want to hold on to guilt and shame instead of leaving it a Jesus' feet. We may think we have messed up so horribly that God could never want to love us and freely give us salvation. We may not understand a God that will over look our faults and show mercy. Guess what? We don't have to understand it to be confident that we have it. Believe in His promises. So many people stumble because they don't understand. God's ways are far superior than our own. We know in part (1 Cor. 13-9). So, just accept his free gift and live confident in his promise.

Further study:
Romans 3:21-31; 4:1-5:11
Galatians 2:15-21
Confidence: Heb 4:16; 10:19; 10:35; 1John 5:14