Page 32 - October 2024 - Truth & Tidings

" ut after that the kindness and love let us first notice that since “saved” here is in
of God our Saviour toward man ap-
the past tense, these phrases cannot speak
Bpeared, not by works of righteous- of ongoing processes. Rather, they must
ness which we have done, but according describe events completed at the moment
to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of salvation. And indeed, they do. In fact,
of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy they tell us how salvation happens.
Ghost” (Titus 3:4-5 KJV).
The first phrase speaks of an experience
This certainly is a great gospel text! It
begins with the little word “but,” which of cleansing, and the Greek word for “wash-
places the hopefulness of verses 4 and 5 ing” indicates the comprehensiveness of
in contrast with the hopelessness found in that cleansing. It speaks of bathing, that is,
verse 3. It assures us that God has made all a complete and thorough washing of what-
the difference. He is the source of our hope; ever is being cleansed. The Greek word for
“He saved us,” not “works of righteousness” “regeneration” is composed of two words
(which, of course, apart from being saved, – the first one, “again,” and the second, “be-
people cannot do). And what motivated God ginning,” indicating a “new beginning.” It is
to provide salvation? Note the expressions by this new beginning that sinners receive
of God’s character found in our text: “kind- total cleansing from sin’s defilement.
ness,” “love,” “mercy,” and in verse 6, “grace.” Examining our second phrase, we find a
All of these “appeared” in the person of the renewing (or renewal) accomplished by the
Lord Jesus Christ. Observe in Him the heart Holy Spirit. Whereas the first phrase empha-
of our God. sizes cleansing from sin, the second has to
Let’s briefly pause to notice the contrast do with a broader, all-inclusive experience.
between man’s sinfulness in verse 3 with the True, there is a close relationship and simi-
precious aspects of God’s character already larity between “regeneration” and “renewal.”
mentioned: we see self-centeredness vs. love This has led some to conclude that the “and”
(philanthropia, love of human beings), mali- connecting the above phrases has the sense
ciousness vs. kindness, envy vs. mercy, hate of “even,” thereby making the second phrase
vs. grace. A stark contrast indeed! Note also, an explanation of the first.
verse 4 initiates a blessed sequence which Yet, although very similar, the underlying
culminates in verse 7: kindness and love grammatical structure indicates that these
motivating mercy, mercy bringing about sal- phrases are distinct, each one having its
vation, salvation leading to justification, and, own emphasis. The first, as already stated,
ultimately, justification enabling inheritance. emphasizes a comprehensive cleansing;
This sequence of blessings is reminiscent of the second emphasizes the comprehensive
Romans 8:32. Truly, with Christ, God “freely renewal of a believer’s entire inner being.
gives us all things.” In summary, then, this Scripture passage
Moving on to verse 5, we find two won- enables us to understand God’s “so great sal-
derful (and profound) phrases: “the washing vation” for what it truly is – a mighty miracle
of regeneration” and “renewing of the Holy of God. Have you, dear reader, experienced
Ghost.” Before determining their meaning, this mighty miracle in your life?