Titus 3:4-7
“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.”
Reflection:
How can you be justified? How can you get the gift of God saying to you, “You are righteous”?
Only by the grace of God.
Your sin has merited the death of the Son of God. Jesus Christ had to die on the cross for your sin. You cannot sin and then imagine that some petty good works of yours will remove your sin. Imagine saying to God, “Look, God, I know that my sin led to the death of your perfect Son, who is also God Himself. But I washed my neighbor’s car that one time. So we should be even.” What would you do, even with 100 years, that could possibly replace the Son of God? What could you offer to God so that you could say, “God, I know that I caused the death of your Son. However, I did these other good things. These other good things are equal to your Son who is infinite and perfect. We’re even.”
The only way that you can ever be justified by God is if God, in His grace, forgives your sins and then proclaims you righteous through the righteousness of Jesus given to you. Yet when God gives you that grace through faith, then your justification is so final and complete that God today and forevermore dwells with you through the Holy Spirit, making you an heir of heaven itself.
In Christ,
Pastor Yonkman