Have you ever wondered just what is "the gospel?" There are many places in the Bible that give hints or descriptions of the "good news" (the literal translation of "gospel"). One of these scriptures is Titus 3:3-7.
Before we can actually hear the good news, we must first accept some bad news. Without God, we are not very good at all! We read in verse 3: "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another." Verse 3 is a pretty accurate description of what a life without the grace of God looks like.
What changed? Or, more specifically, what changes us? Paul gives us that answer in verse 4: It is the appearance of Christ! "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared..." God is the One who makes all the difference, and it comes in the sending of Jesus Christ into our world!
Paul goes on to describe the ultimate cause behind our salvation in verse 5: "...He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." Salvation isn't a personal achievement, something that we have earned. Rather, it is a gift of grace and mercy, something which we humbly receive. Salvation is accompanied by the waters of the baptism and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit.
Verses 6 and 7 presents the conclusion of the matter: "This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Now, that's some GOOD NEWS! Who can you share the Gospel with today?
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