SALVATION:  GOD'S WORK, NOT OURS

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." - Titus 3:5

Cults and false religions have one thing in common:  they teach that a person must do good deeds and be a good person to be saved.  Sadly, most people in America, even those in churches, believe this myth.  Salvation is not a goal for us to work toward; it is a gift that we must receive.  Salvation is not based upon human merit, but the merit of God Himself.

When Paul wrote to Titus, he emphasized that salvation was a work of God.  Paul wrote, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."  Salvation is not something a man works up, but a gift God sends down.  Let's consider this more deeply.

First of all, we must recognize the folly of self-righteousness.  Paul wrote that salvation was, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done."  Empty religion can cause a man to feel rather proud of his position, but such thinking is vain and deceitful.  Here's the problem with self-righteousness:  we really don't have any righteousness of our own.  Our effort & works could never merit God's attention, yet alone His acceptance.  We deceive ourselves into thinking that we are "good people," when the reality is that we are sinfully depraved and very wicked.  We tend to judge ourselves by our intentions, never realizing that our intentions are flawed and sinful.  We like to brag that, basically, our hearts are good --- but the Bible states that our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked.  The fact is that we are wicked sinners that deserve God's wrath.  We need God's mercy & grace instead of trusting in our own works.

Thankfully, God's mercy is available to sinful people like us.  God's mercy was made available through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, upon the cross.  There on the cross of Calvary, God's justice was satisfied and God's mercy was extended.  His justice was satisfied as Jesus received the penalty that we should have received.  Too many people are trusting in the mercy of God without believing in Jesus.  This is futile and fatal.  God's mercy is only available through the person and work of Christ.  When a sinner realizes his lost condition, repents and believes in Jesus, God's mercy saves him.  It is faith in the person & work of Christ that saves.  We must believe that He died for our sins and rose again.  We must receive His payment for our sins. 

Furthermore, Paul wrote that we are washed and made clean through regeneration.  Instead of patching up the old life, God gives us a new life.  We must die to sin and self before we can experience the new life found in Christ.  Just as Jesus died & rose again, the believer must die to sin and then be raised a new person in Jesus.  This is beautifully illustrated through water baptism.  When a new believer is baptized, his old life is shown being plunged beneath the watery grave and a new life emerges --- a life that only Jesus brings.  More than a new beginning, Jesus brings new life to a believer.

Finally, Paul wrote that the Holy Ghost renews us.  Water baptism demonstrates what the Holy Spirit does within us when we believe.   When we believe, the Spirit baptizes us (1 Cor. 12:13).  We are made new by the power of the Holy Spirit.  That is why a new believer seems to be like a new person ---- he is. 

Sadly, most Americans have empty religion rather than a vibrant relationship with Jesus.  Their theology is based upon human merit rather than the person of Christ.  While they like to identify themselves as Christians, they do not have eternal life.  Eternal life is a gift that God gives through His Son.  It cannot be earned.  It cannot be purchased.  It can only be received as a gift & only through the person of Christ.

Salvation is a work God performs.  Salvation is God's work, not ours.