A Complete Salvation
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6
Titus was a Gentile Christian (Galatians 2:3). He had probably become a Christian when Paul taught and preached the Gospel. Paul described Titus as his ‘true son’ (Titus1:4). Paul described Titus as a partner and a worker with him (2 Corinthians 8:23). After his conversion, Titus laboured with Paul to spread the Gospel and organize the early Church. Paul wrote this letter to encourage Titus, who was living and serving the Lord on the island of Crete.
The apostle Paul referred to both the mercy and the grace of God in salvation. He declared that it is by God’s grace we are justified and delivered from the guilt of our sins (Tit 3:7). But he also said it is God’s mercy that delivers us from a lifestyle which he described as “foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another” (v3).
Paul had described how Christians should behave. In these verses, he described what they were like before. He said ‘we’. So he included himself, Titus, the Christians in Crete and other people who believed. Paul reminded them why Christians should never be proud. They had all behaved badly before they became Christians. Therefore, they should not have a severe attitude to people who were not Christians. The people who lived in Crete had bad characters. But Titus should not give up. Even wicked people could become Christians because of God’s grace.
Let us daily thank God for His grace and His mercy. Together they provide for us a complete salvation.
Bible Reading
Titus 3:1-8.
Prayer
Great God of Grace, Grace and mercy are unearned blessings given to unworthy sinners. Thank You, Father, for Your grace. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.