Salvation Is Not by Works (Part 2)
I’ve made a mistake
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[God] saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit
Titus 3:5 (NET)
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My mistake?
Labeling this verse “Salvation Is Not by Works.”
Because, salvation actually is by works … just not our works.
God does the work of washing us in a new birth and the Holy Spirit renews our dead spirits.
When I labeled this verse, I was trying to counter my own thoughts on the work I could do to earn salvation. Clearly my “works of righteousness” would never be enough to earn the favor of a perfect & holy God.
So, in that sense, it kind of is a correct label.
But, also, it’s not.
🤷
Anyway, Jesus talks a lot about new birth in John 3 when he’s chatting with ol’ Nic at Night (Nicodemus). How the new birth is a spiritual new birth, where the Holy Spirit revives our dead (because of sin) spirits and gives us new, eternal life.
Paul condenses that down to just a few words here.
There’s a lot of — let’s say spirited discussion — around HOW the Spirit does this salvific work … and … what role we have to play in it. (i.e., Calvinism vs Arminianism)
I have zero interest in opening that can of worms here.
I’m more interested in finding practical applications for the verses I share.
To that end, today seems like a good one for reflection and thanksgiving.
I will be taking some time to give thanks to God for His merciful work of salvation and His gift of the Holy Spirit.
I encourage you to do the same.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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