His Mercy
Reading: Titus 3; Psalm 138
4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7 NLT)
Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are densely packed with instruction from the experienced apostle to these younger men. Timothy and Titus had the responsibility of establishing and leading churches, raising up the next generation of leaders, and dealing with all the issues of conflict and wrong teaching that were arising in the 30-year-old church. These letters have become Bible college and seminary courses in pastoral work. These letters have become our Bible!
Life gets complicated. It’s complicated by the fact that simple faith tends to get complicated into religious practices. It’s complicated by the fact that people have problems with people. It’s complicated by my own ups and downs and issues and struggles. It really helps to keep the right perspective when I read Paul’s reminder of the simplicity of the Good News of God’s Mercy!
The thing that remains simple is that a kind and loving God saved me because of his mercy. When I came to him in hopeful helplessness, he forgave all my sins and gave me a new birth, a new life, and he filled me with his Holy Spirit. He declared me righteous and gave me the promise and assurance of eternal life. That’s the simple truth!
Prayer:
Father, Thank you for your love and kindness. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for washing away my sins and declaring me righteous and making me your child. Thank you for your Holy Spirit. Thank you that no matter how complicated life gets, the truth remains simple! Please help me to be loving and kind and merciful and forgiving to others as you have been to me. Help me to be encouraging and comforting and inspiring to others as your Spirit has been to me. Amen.