Remember What You Were Saved From - October 13

Read Titus 3:3-7 (ESV)

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Reflect

How does remembering what you were like before you knew Christ help you to love others who are still apart from Him?

It’s easy to forget what we’ve been saved from. What I mean is, it’s easy to look around us at all of the people who are living lifestyles that are disobedient to God and think less of them. If we aren’t careful, we can feel a sense of pride because we are more obedient, more godly, more spiritual, etc. than they are. But the apostle Paul had something to say about this in today’s verses which we read in his letter to Titus.

Paul wrote this letter around the same time that he wrote 1 Timothy (around 63 A.D.). There’s good evidence to believe Paul was writing to Titus from Corinth after his first Roman imprisonment. Titus was a young minister that Paul addressed as his “true child in a common faith” (Titus 1:4). Paul thought of himself as a father figure to Titus just as he had to Timothy. Also like Timothy, Titus had been given a tough assignment. His mission was to establish and organize churches on Crete, an island in the Mediterranean. People from Crete were called “Cretans” but unfortunately that title was often not thought of as a compliment. The inhabitants of this island were known for immorality and dishonestly. If someone in the first century called you a “Cretan” or told you that you were acting like one, it wasn’t a term of endearment. It was an insult. They had that bad of a reputation. In Titus 1:10-16, Paul listed out specific sins that were prevalent among the Cretans. He also quoted a Cretan who spoke against his own people: “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12).

But Acts 2:11 mentions Cretans among the people in the crowd in Jerusalem at Pentecost when Peter gave his great sermon. At that time, around three thousand people accepted Christ! So we know that some Cretans likely converted to Christianity at that time. We also know that Paul wintered in Crete (Acts 27:7-13) and must have been in Crete before he left Titus in charge there: “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you” (Titus 1:5).

Just as he did in his letter to Timothy, Paul listed out qualifications and virtues necessary for church leadership: “For an overseer, as God’s stewards, must be above reproach.” (Titus 1:7). Once again, godly character is elevated in importance over other qualifications for leadership. But he also emphasized that godly conduct isn’t just expected for Christian leaders but for the entire church no matter your age or position. In chapter 2, Paul commanded Titus to “teach what accords with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1) and then he went on to spell out what that should look like for men and women, young and old. Christians should avoid behavior that will harm or destroy their Christian witness. They should behave in such a way that “in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10).

But in today’s verses, Paul reminded them not to get haughty or think more highly of themselves because they were once exactly like the unsaved Cretans. He reminded them that they didn’t save themselves from this life of slavery to sin, but that Christ saved them based on His goodness and loving kindness. Salvation is not earned by good works, righteousness, or worthiness. Salvation is only found in the mercy and grace that Christ richly poured out on us.

Even our transformation from godless behavior to godly living is a work of Christ in our lives: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12).

Friends, like Titus, we need to be reminded that our lifestyle and our character either confirms or denies the saving work of God in our lives. Our salvation, transformation, and sanctification should never be a source of pride because we did not and cannot accomplish these things on our own! Because of this, we should be gentle and show perfect courtesy toward all people (Titus 3:2). In our interactions with those apart from Christ, may we never forget what we were saved from.

Respond

Lord, I confess that in an immoral world, it can be easy to get angry, judgmental, and prideful. But I know that if not for Your rich mercy and grace, I would still be a slave to my sins, too. Help me to live a life that demonstrates rather than destroys the witness of Your work in my life. Amen.

Reveal

Think of someone whose lifestyle or choices make it difficult for you to respond with grace. Share Titus 3:4-5 with them or another person who needs encouragement, focusing on God’s goodness, mercy, and saving grace rather than condemnation. Ask God to help you remember what you were saved from so that you can show others the same gentleness and kindness He has shown you.