The Gospel

Isaiah 1-3; Titus 3 

“At one time we too were foolish…enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy…but when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

Titus 3:3-7

All of the essential elements of the gospel are present in this “trustworthy saying” by the apostle Paul. Without God’s salvation, we are all enslaved by sin, and it is only the kindness and love of God our Savior that sets us free. We are saved through the washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit so that we are cleansed from our sin and empowered to live a new life. This new life is eternal and fills us with hope, not just for this life, but for the life to come. The evidence that we have experienced this new birth is our freedom from the enslavement of sin and the new hope we live with. We know the Holy Spirit as our Counselor, Guide and Teacher.

“Lord Jesus, thank you that you have revealed this gospel to me and given me life. I pray for boldness today to share this gospel with others in the power of the Holy Spirit.”