WHAT IS INVOLVED IN BEING JUSTIFIED BY GRACE
TEXT: Titus 3:4-7
Introduction: “Justify” (Thayer)—to render righteous or such as he ought to be…pronounce one to be just…declare guiltless one accused; to judge acceptable. Over and over, the Scriptures affirm that sinners can be justified only on the basis of God’s amazing grace.
Note v. 7—Here, as in many other places, Paul emphasizes the important role that God’s grace plays in our justification.
And in the preceding verses, he explains TITLE.
I. God’s kindness, v. 4a
A. Kindness—1. moral goodness, integrity; 2. benignity, a feeling of good will or favor (quality of God): Rom. 2:4 (goodness)
B. This is contrasted with another quality of God: Rom. 11:22
C. How has God been kind to us?: Eph. 2:4-7 (note relation to mercy, love, grace)
II. God’s love, v. 4b
A. “Philanthropia”—lit. love of mankind; theme of the Bible: Jn. 3:16
B. Consider the extent to which God manifested His love: Rom. 5:8
C. And we can receive the special benefits of His love: 1 Jn. 3:1
III. God’s mercy. V. 5a
A. Mercy—”compassion, esp. where severity is expected or deserved; readiness to help those in trouble”: Ps. 103:8-18
B. Difficult to distinguish between grace, kindness, love, and mercy, but all describe God’s attitude toward sinners: 1 Tim. 1:13-16
C. Thus, though we have sinned, we look to God for mercy: 1 Pet. 2:9-10
IV. The washing of regeneration, v. 5b
A. Regeneration—lit. rebirth: Jn. 3:3-5
B. This “rebirth” is possible by having sins “washed” away—when?: Acts 22:16
C. The means by which we receive this washing of regeneration is God’s word: Eph. 5:25-26, 1 Pet. 1:21-22
V. Renewing of the Holy Spirit, v. 5c
A. Renewal—renovation, complete change for the better: Rom. 12:1-2, 2 Cor. 4:16
B. The agent which brings about this renewal is the Holy Spirit: Eph. 5:18-19
C. But how are we filled with the Spirit?: Eph. 6:12, Col. 3:16
VI. Jesus Christ our Savior, v. 6
A. Jesus is the name given to Mary’s child: Matt. 1:18-21
B. This Jesus is the Christ, or Messiah, the Son whom the Father sent: Matt. 16:16, Jn. 20:30-31
C. It is He who came to be our Savior: Acts 5:30-31, 13:22-23; Eph. 5:23Conclusion
Conclusion: Because of God’s kindness, love, and mercy…
All of us who are condemned sinners can receive the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…
Through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ our Savior…
So that we can be justified by grace—v. 7.
The question now is, have you done what God requires you to do in order to become justified by His grace?

By Wayne S. Walker

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