Favorite Fact
Check out our new design | More bible studies from Titus
. . . not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior . . . . (Titus 3:5-6 NKJV)
In winding down this letter to live by, Paul made it a point to mention one of his favorite facts-our salvation is not based on anything (good or bad) that we have ever done. Our works count for absolutely nothing when it comes to our being saved and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Our going to heaven is completely, absolutely, entirely, one-hundred percent founded on the merciful grace of God, a fact that frequently flowed from Paul’s pen:
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness . . . . (Romans 4:5 NKJV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord . . . who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began . . . . (2 Timothy 1:8-9 NKJV)
Nothing provides a more freeing perspective of the Christian walk than this favorite fact. If we forget this, we will start to assume that our standing with God depends on what we do for Him, and two terrible traps will ensnare us. First, we’ll burn ourselves out with exhaustion as we try to earn something as infinite as God’s forgiveness. Second, we’ll crumble under the weight of condemnation when we fail in our efforts.
Don’t get caught in these traps. Never lose focus on the fact that salvation is ours based on what God has done for us and not by virtue of what we do for Him. A righteous life naturally follows after a regenerated heart, not the other way around.
DIG - What is your basis for going to heaven?
DISCOVER – When have you fallen into the trap of thinking that your salvation is based on your efforts?
DISPLAY - Share Paul’s ‘favorite fact’ with someone who needs to hear it.
This Bible Study was prepared by Pastor Bob Coy of The Active Word.
