Titus 3:4, 5 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit
The final chapter of Titus begins with a call to remind the people of some six things - to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Such traits are not native to men as men but Paul reflects that he and Titus and their fellow believers were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But all that was changed by God. Paul wants Titus to stress this so that the people will do good. The book ends with a warning against quarrelling, some final practical remarks and a greeting. To outline the change that God has wrought Paul introduces one of the trustworthy sayings in verses 4-7. Here we will focus just on the first part, in verses 4 and 5, which speak of what leads God to save why God saves and how God saves. So firstly, having spoken of depravity, he says that, however, when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared God saved us. The appearance of God's love and kindness can be located both in history with the incarnation and in experience with the realisation of the fact. Secondly, the reason God saves people is not because they are righteous (none are) but because he is merciful. Thirdly, Paul refers to how God saves as the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. We are both cleansed and renewed by the Spirit.
