Not by Works of Righteousness
titus 3:5-7

Paul began in chapter 2 explaining to Titus the message of sound doctrine. He explains to Titus the expectations of men and women in the body of Christ. When we read Titus 2, the demands seem high. In fact, in the fallen world where we live today, the demand seems even more extreme. Paul mentions in Titus 2:12-14 that we are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. We are to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age as we look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ! Paul then gets to Titus 3:4 and reminds us that Christ died because of the kindness and love that God had towards man.

As a result, Titus 3:5 humbles us all when we are reminded that it is “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

In Barnes’ Commentary, Barnes put it this way,

“If people could have been saved by their own good works, there would have been no need of salvation by the Redeemer; if our own deeds were now the basis of our title to eternal life, the work of Christ would be equally unnecessary.”

It is according to God's mercy. Therefore we might agree on these four points:

(1) This wonderful act of God had its origin in mercy. That's where it began!

(2) It is by mere mercy or compassion, and not by justice. We can never look at anything that we have done. For if this was the case, justice would rule, and unfortunately, when the verdict would be given, we, according to Romans 6:23, would be due death. But thank God for His compassion, which caused us to receive His mercy.

(3) It is an expression of great mercy, because of the magnitude of our sins; great mercy was shown when Christ died on Calvary as a sacrifice for our sins. Hebrews 9:22 reminds us that “without shedding of blood there is no remission” for sin.

(4) It is now, in fact, conferred only by mercy. Whatever we have done or can do, when we come to receive salvation from the hand of God, none of it really matters, because it is only by God's mercy that we receive His salvation.

So what is the basis of our salvation? Could it be our upright moral character? No, it doesn’t even matter whether we help little old ladies cross the street! Whether or not our good deeds have outweighed our bad ones, it is by God's mercy we are saved!

Now please don't misunderstand the message, this is not so that you or I can be sent on a guilt trip. On the other hand, this is a reminder to you and me of how much God loves us!

Verse 5 closes with the words, “. . . By the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit produces a change in us, making us new creatures. This is the central
idea of 2 Corinthians 5:17.

When the word “washing” is used in Titus 3:5, many think that Paul is referring to baptism. The idea is suggested when we think of washing from sin, rebirth, new life, or resurrection. These are images associated with baptism. The interpretation becomes further complicated when Paul states, “He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” The natural assumption is that we are saved by baptism. It would seem logical to draw this conclusion, as do some religious sects, which teach that baptism is necessary to be saved – and similarly, someone who is not baptized automatically goes to Hell.

But there is a problem with this interpretation of Scripture. Paul isn’t talking about baptism. In fact, Paul doesn’t mention the word baptism anywhere in this context, or in this entire letter. We know this would not be the thought that is communicated by Paul anyway, because in many of his writings, Paul states the ‘pure gospel,’ which is, we are saved by God’s grace through faith! God does not save us based on any good deeds or rituals that we perform. Furthermore, there is no Scripture that indicates baptism or any other ritual has power to save us! Instead, God saves us by FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!

You may be wondering at this point, "THEN WHAT GOOD IS BAPTISM?” Baptism doesn’t lead to God’s grace. However, it is a symbolic reminder of what God has already done! When we go into the water, we symbolize His death. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states it this way, “We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.”

When we rise from the water, we symbolize a new life in Christ Jesus! Baptism acts as the reminder that we belong – neither to ourselves, nor to our guilty past, nor to our fearful future, nor to the demonic powers of alcohol, sex, pride, envy, gossip, or any other sin that may attempt to enslave us. Instead, we make a statement to the world that something has happened inside our hearts. We now have something that has placed us under new management. We can now stand firm on the Word of God, which gives us the testimony found in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

This same power has made us brand new—in our views, our feelings, our desires, hopes, plans, and purpose. We are different from the way we were before we received God’s salvation because the Holy Spirit produces a change in us! The end result of what happens in our life is reflected abundantly through Jesus Christ according to Titus 3:6.

Now if this is not good enough, it gets better in Titus 3:7. We are justified, or made righteous, by His grace. Therefore, being justified, we are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life that we now have in Christ - NOT BY WORKS, BUT BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

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