REMEMBER GOD'S GRACE

Passage: Titus 3:1-8

Key verse: 4,5

NIV

Saved in Order to Do Good

3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities,(A) to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,(B) 2 to slander no one,(C) to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

3 At one time(D) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness(E) and love of God our Savior(F) appeared,(G) 5 he saved us,(H) not because of righteous things we had done,(I) but because of his mercy.(J) He saved us through the washing(K) of rebirth and renewal(L) by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us(M) generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace,(N) we might become heirs(O) having the hope(P) of eternal life.(Q) 8 This is a trustworthy saying.(R) And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.(S) These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

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ESV

Be Ready for Every Good Work

3 Remind them (A)to be submissive to rulers and authorities, (B)to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 (C)to speak evil of no one, (D)to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and (E)to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For (F)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. 4 But when (G)the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, (H)not because of works done by us in righteousness, but (I)according to his own mercy, by (J)the washing of regeneration and (K)renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he (L)poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that (M)being justified by his grace we might become (N)heirs (O)according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is (P)trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful (Q)to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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1. Ready to do what is good (1-5a)

Paul says that Christians should do what is good (1, 8b,14). Once, we did what was evil. To a greater or lesser degree all of us were foolish, disobedient, and enslaved by passions and pleasures. We kept grudges and envy in our hearts. But we who have tasted the mercy, grace and love of God must now do what is good. This means that we should show consideration and humility to all people. We should be careful not to injure others by what we say; rather, we should build up others. We have peace with God, so we should have peace with men.

2. God's love for mankind (5b-8)

God loves all mankind, so he sent his only Son Jesus to save us. God, in his great mercy, not only forgives our sins by the grace of Jesus, but he also washes us by his word and Spirit; he changes us in the inner person, taking away all bitterness and anger. He gives us new hope and makes us heirs of eternal life.

Prayer: Father, thank you for loving this sinful human race, and for loving and saving me. Help me to do what is good.

One Word: Saved by grace to do what is good