Titus 3:5 - Saved Through Mercy

Not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. -- Titus 3:5

The term, “works of righteousness” in our text, appears to reflect works under the Law Covenant, or possibly by works of conscience by which some would seek to justify themselves. Jewish believers in Christ, before they became believers, were seeking justification according to Law. Paul reported of the Gentiles, although without the Law, have a law to themselves, by which many sought justification by their works. (Romans 2:13-15) Paul later says, however, that neither the Jew or the Gentile was justified by their works. (Romans 3:9) No one was actually justified, made straight, declared righteous, by means trying to keep the Law Covenant. (Ecclesiastes 1:15; 7:13; Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20,28; Galatians 2:16; 3:11,24; 5:4) The Law, being, weak due to sinful flesh, never, of itself, effected justification for anyone. (Romans 8:3) It is only as one is justified, regenerated, renewed by the Holy Spirit, that one, as a new creature in Christ, is made sinless, straight, just. For such, it is reckoned, or counted, that the old creation has passed away, and all things have been made new; by partaking of the powers of the age to come, it is as though the present age has already passed away. –  2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 6:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5.

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The Right Foundation of Faith