“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,”
I have a love-hate relationship with the word “but.” I never like “buts” in an apology because they turn what seems like remorse into nothing more than a sorry excuse.
I’m sorry, but….
Also, I’m not a fan of “buts” in compliments, because when that compliment is followed by a but, it suddenly doesn’t feel so nice.
You look beautiful today, but….
But “buts” in the Bible are in another category altogether. Those are the kind of buts I appreciate.
Titus 3:4-5 is a prime example. Paul, in his letter to Titus, begins by reminding him that everyone started out the same way: disobedient, deceived, and foolish, “hated by others and hating one another” (Titus 3:3). That is news no one wants to hear. However, this bad news is followed by a “but.” And that “but” is the beginning of our focus verse. Let’s have a look:
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 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,”
God’s kindness and goodness are revealed through Jesus Christ.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into this verse.
He Saved Us, Not Because of Our Works
Despite our sinful and fallen nature, God saved us. He saved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). He sent His sinless Son to pay the penalty we both earned and deserved. He saved us not because of anything we do, did, or ever will do. Even the most righteous, upstanding things we’ve done can’t save us. Going to church can’t save us. Reading the Bible can’t save us. Feeding the homeless can’t save us. It is only by God’s grace through faith that we are saved.
But Titus 3:5 reminds us that salvation begins with God’s mercy. God looked upon our helpless condition with compassion and acted on our behalf. Later in this passage, Paul will emphasize that we are justified by God’s grace (Titus 3:7). Together, these truths remind us that salvation is entirely God’s work. But what is mercy?
According To His Mercy
Mercy (ἔλεος) is an attribute of God. It is God’s deep compassion that moves Him to show us kindness and concern. He doesn’t look at our sin and pain from a distance; He draws near to us to forgive, heal, and restore us. God’s mercy and grace were perfectly revealed and secured through Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. Not only is God merciful towards us, but He also expects us, as kingdom citizens, to show mercy to one another (Matthew 9:13).
If you’d like to explore mercy more deeply, I wrote an entire article on what it means to be merciful in my study of the Beatitudes. Check it out:The Beatitudes: Happy Are The Merciful.
Paul makes it clear that salvation is God’s work from beginning to end. But God is a Triune God, and each member of the Trinity is intimately involved in this work. Our salvation depends on the Trinity.
The Father planned and sent (John 3:16)
The Son accomplished salvation (Romans 5:8)
The Spirit applies and sanctifies (1 Peter 1:2)
The Son accomplished salvation (Romans 5:8)
The Spirit applies and sanctifies (1 Peter 1:2)
Paul continues explaining the work of salvation by emphasizing the Spirit’s role:
The Washing of Regeneration and Renewal
At salvation, we are recreated in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10), becoming new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul uses the imagery of washing to explain the work of the Holy Spirit in our salvation. He says we are saved “by the washing of regeneration.” Jesus referred to this spiritual cleansing as being born again or being born from above. For more on what it means to be born again, see What It Means To Be Born Again. Not only does the Holy Spirit regenerate us, but He also renews us. This renewal is not a one-time event. It is ongoing. It changes our very nature. Over time, we are transformed into His image, looking more and more like Christ each day.
Living In Light of God’s Mercy
Titus 3:4-5 is a “but” worth memorizing. It sums up God’s plan of salvation quite well. God saved us. Why? Because He is merciful. That is who He is. But after saving us, He didn’t leave us as He found us. He sent the Holy Spirit to regenerate us. Day by day. He continues to work in us, transforming us into the image of Christ.
As followers of Christ, we should wake up each day grateful that God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). We should step back and submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, allowing Him to renew our minds and mold us into the image of Christ (Romans 12:2). How do we do that?
- We do that by immersing ourselves in His Word – the truth that sanctifies us (John 17:17).
- We do that through prayer, asking God to search us and know our hearts and thoughts (Psalm 139:23-24).
- We do that by submitting to God’s will and keeping His commandments (John 14:15).
Continue the Salvation, Grace & Faith Study
This article is part of the Salvation, Grace & Faith section of Memorize Scripture, a 52-week Bible study through key passages of Scripture.
Continue your study:
- Ephesians 2:8–9 — By Grace Through Faith — What Ephesians 2:8-9 Really Means?
- Ephesians 2:10 — Saved for Good Works —What Ephesians 2:10 Really Means
- Titus 3:4-5 — Titus 3:4-5 Explained: Saved by Mercy, Not Works (current study)
- Galatians 2:20 — Christ Lives in Me (coming soon)
- Romans 8:1 — No Condemnation (coming soon)
- Romans 8:38–39 — Nothing Can Separate Us (coming soon)
- John 5:24 — Crossed Over from Death to Life (coming soon)
- Acts 4:12 — Salvation Is Found in No One Else (coming soon)