“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)
Titus 3:5 stands as a bold declaration of the true ground of salvation: “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.” No human effort, no accumulation of good deeds, no outward preparation, and no natural virtue can earn salvation. It comes about only as the fruit of God’s mercy, freely given to those He chooses to redeem.
Though faith, repentance, and obedience are necessary, these do not purchase salvation. They are the fruits of grace, not its foundation. Paul insists that salvation is not by “works of righteousness which we have done.” The glory belongs wholly to God who saves by His mercy, applying the blood of Christ to the soul and sending the Spirit to renew the heart.
The testimony of Paul’s own life provides the perfect example. He was in no way searching for Christ when grace arrested him. In fact, he was actively persecuting the church instead. So there is no question that his conversion was solely the product of sovereign mercy. God overcame his rebellion, broke his pride, and transformed him into an apostle of the Gospel. In this, the principle of salvation by mercy alone is made plain.
Jesus makes the same point in Matthew 21:31: “Verily I say unto You, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” Outwardly righteous Pharisees resisted the Gospel because of pride, while notorious sinners humbled themselves under conviction and received grace. Conviction and humility, not merit or virtue, are the signs of readiness for grace.
Salvation is the result of God’s power working within. As Philippians 2:13 states, “For it is God which worketh in You both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Repentance and faith may be acts of the human will, but they are enabled and sustained by divine power. That is to say, God provides both the will and the ability to act. Thus every part of salvation, from beginning to end, is rooted in mercy and effected by grace.[1]
Two reasons confirm this truth. First, God’s power is greater than man’s resistance. His grace imparts the ability to repent and believe. Second, His work is effective. What He purposes, He accomplishes. Even the sinner’s first motion toward God is the result of His mercy creating a willing heart.
Therefore, salvation belongs entirely to the Lord. The sinner brings nothing but sin; God provides cleansing through the blood of Christ, renewal by the Spirit, and faith to receive the gift. Let all boasting be silenced, for it is “according to his mercy he saved us.”
Contemplations:
- Effectual grace and my preparedness. Titus 3:5 says, “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.” This verse reassures me that my salvation didn’t depend on my condition or inclination toward God beforehand. Not only that, Paul’s conversion also reminds me that even the least prepared can receive grace. Though he was persecuting Christians, God’s mercy transformed Paul into a faithful apostle. I must remember that my own conviction and humility before God are what matter most. As Jesus said, “The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before You” (Matthew 21:31). My sinfulness leads me to humility to receive more of His grace.
- God’s foreknowledge and my will. It sometimes baffles me to think how God can know my actions without forcing my hand. But as Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God which worketh in You both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” His understanding is infinite and unchangeable, so He knows and ordains all my future actions while not violating my will. Instead, He works through my will to bring about His purposes. Even my willingness to repent and believe is a result of His grace working in me.
- God’s mercy in salvation. I cannot boast in any ability to repent and believe because I was completely dead in sin before the Lord found me! The grace that led me to Him came from His abundant mercy. He granted me the power to believe and then moved my heart to act. This is why the glory of my salvation belongs to Him alone, and my role is simply to respond to His grace with faith and obedience.
Prayer (adoration):
Merciful Lord, I lift my heart in adoration for the greatness of Your saving mercy. You did not wait for me to prepare myself, nor require me to earn Your favor. You found me dead in trespasses and sins, without hope, without strength, and You saved me according to Your mercy. I adore You for this display of divine compassion that takes no account of works, no reliance on merit, but pours out grace upon the unworthy.
I praise You for the washing of regeneration. By Your Spirit You have cleansed the guilt of my sin and renewed the corruption of my heart. You who spoke the worlds into being have spoken new life into me. I worship You for the miracle of the new birth, for the Spirit who testifies to the truth, and for the power that makes dead sinners live.
I adore You for Christ, whose blood purchased my redemption, whose obedience secured my righteousness, whose resurrection sealed my hope. In Him I see the fullness of Your mercy. In Him I behold the triumph of grace over sin, of life over death, of Your purpose over my rebellion.
I bless Your name that salvation is not uncertain or unstable but rests on Your immutable will and sovereign power. You work in me to will and to do of Your good pleasure. My repentance is Your gift, my faith is Your creation, my obedience is Your work. I can only bow in awe that You take all the glory and yet grant all the blessing to me.
Lord, I adore Your mercy that stoops to save the least and the lowest. You exalt harlots above Pharisees and tax collectors above priests, for Your kingdom is built not by human pride but by divine compassion. I worship You for a mercy that reaches farther than my sin, that is stronger than my resistance and deeper than my despair.
Eternal God, my salvation is wholly Yours. Let my lips praise You, let my life honor You, let my heart delight in You. To You belongs all glory, all worship, all adoration.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Titus 3:5:
Romans 12:2, Ephesians 2:9, 1 Peter 1:3, John 3:5
[1] John Corbet, A Humble Endeavour of Some Plain and Brief Explication of the Decrees and Operations of God, (London: Printed for Tho. Parkhurst .., 1683), 43.
