It Starts Small

³ For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. ⁴ But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, ⁵ he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. ⁶ He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:3-7

Note the “for.” That powerful word creates an unbreakable connection between verses 3-7 and verses 1-2. Paul passionately urges us to embody gentleness and courtesy, reminding us that we ourselves have been showered with grace. We are called to extend that same grace to others. We are all sinners navigating this journey together. We share in the need for compassion and understanding.

¹⁶ Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness,

John 1:16

The grace we have received ignites a fire within us to extend that same grace to others! Our flesh may scream, “But they don’t deserve it! They don’t show this kindness to me! They are sinners and they don’t follow God!” Yet, Paul fiercely counters that excuse. He reminds us that we were all once adrift in the same storm. This was before we encountered Christ. We are not superior to those who don’t yet know Him. In fact, there was a time when each one of us wandered in darkness. We were utterly lost. We must embrace compassion. We should cast aside pride or judgment. Reach out with love to those who are still searching for the light!

Jesus powerfully illustrated this truth in the parable of the unforgiving servant. In that gripping tale, a servant receives the incredible mercy of having an immense debt wiped clean. Yet, he stubbornly refuses to extend similar forgiveness for a mere fraction owed to him by a fellow servant. Tragically, we mirror this behavior all too often. We ardently seek forgiveness and grace for ourselves, yet we hesitate to offer the same compassion to others.

We too were once foolish

What is a fool? A fool is a person who does not believe in or follow God.

The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.”
They are corrupt; they do vile deeds.
There is no one who does good.

Psalm 14:1

In the God’s Word, being a “fool” does not refer to IQ level but rather to one’s spiritual life and worldview.

We cannot expect a person without God to behave in a moral way.

Led astray

Satan is the ultimate master of deception. He lurks in the shadows like a fearsome and roaring lion. He is ever in search of his prey to consume. A lion doesn’t simply approach its target and declare, “I’m here to feast on you, don’t move.” Likewise, a false teacher doesn’t boldly announce from the pulpit. They don’t say, “I’m on a mission from Satan to lead you astray.” Now, heed my words and follow my commands.” Their tactics are insidious and cunning, wrapped in layers of subtlety. How can we truly cultivate discernment? This will enable us to pierce through the veil of deception. We will also be able to resist the allure of temptation.

⁷ “As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me.

Ezekiel 33:7

We can all be watchmen like Ezekiel.

Slaves to various passions and pleasures

Some pleasures are not sin.

• Playing or watching sports
• Playing a board game
• Riding a bike
• Going hiking
• Going on vacation
• Sleeping

Others are sinful.
• Gluttony
• Becoming drunk
• Pornography
• Getting high

Partaking in anything from the first list is not a sin. However, venturing into the realm of the second list invites sin into our lives. Becoming enslaved to anything on either list is a serious transgression. Even watching sports or indulging in a vacation can morph into an idol that distracts us from our true purpose. We must guard our hearts fiercely. We must ensure that Jesus remains exalted on the pedestal of our affections. Otherwise, He could be overshadowed by fleeting worldly pleasures.

Malice, envy, and hate

We have discussed the first and second sins (rebellion) occurring in history that are recorded. What about the third recorded sin? That was Cain ending the life of his brother Abel because of envy and hate. This rivalry, competition, and selfishness is still corrupting the world today. Resentment toward others, if left undealt with, can grow in our hearts. It is important that we be quick to forgive. This way, we remove the root of bitterness. Bitterness often results in malice, envy, and hatred.

What is one of the most important single words in the Bible?

See verse 4. Answer: The word “but.”

It is an exquisitely simple word, yet it holds the weight of the universe. Without Christ, we find ourselves adrift, enveloped in despair, ensnared by hopelessness, misled, and shackled by sin. But that is not the conclusion of our tale. God, in His infinite love, chose to intervene. Because of Him, everything transformed. Because of Him, a flicker of hope ignites within us. Because of Him, we are no longer lost; we are joyously found. He refused to abandon us in that desolate state. Instead, He courageously took action to reshape our reality and bestow upon us the precious gift of hope.

What principles can we learn from verses 4-7:

• God took the bold step forward! He took decisive action out of love for us that knows no bounds!
• He saved us! We are powerless to save ourselves; it was His hand that lifted us from despair!
• This incredible salvation cannot be earned or deserved. It is NOT rooted in our meager deeds or our fleeting righteousness. Remember verse 3! We were lost, just like everyone else. Our salvation comes from a place beyond ourselves. Therefore, we must never let pride seep in. We should not look down on those still searching for the light. We are not better; we are simply blessed!
• This salvation flows from the depths of God’s mercy! This is a fundamental truth that we must cherish and grasp! We are saved by grace—pure, untainted grace, not by our own efforts. When you share this life-changing message with others, let this truth ring loud and clear!

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins

Ephesians 2:1

• We were utterly lost in our sins, devoid of life. We weren’t merely flawed; we were in the depths of despair. It wasn’t about seeking a smidgeon of help or a mere nudge in the right direction. We didn’t just need to turn over a new leaf; we required a profound transformation. A dead person cannot alter their fate— all they can do is lie there in silence, utterly lifeless.

the washing of regeneration and renewal

• When we are saved, we are gloriously washed clean! Our old selves are gone, swept away forever. The new has burst forth within us! We are magnificently transformed and regenerated, emerging as entirely new creations. This is who we are now! It’s essential that we embrace this truth and live fully in it. Do not live as a verse 3 person. Instead, rise up and walk boldly as a verse 5 person!

As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed
our transgressions from us.

Psalms 103:12

by the Holy Spirit

Is this washing and renewal a one-time thing or continuous?

• God is anything but stingy! He extravagantly pours out His grace upon us! What a magnificent word to describe how He relates to us: Poured! He lavishes the Holy Spirit upon us with abundance. And how does He pour? Richly! Our God is overflowing in generosity, showering us with His glorious blessings. In response, let us be generous in our hearts toward others!
• We are justified by His breathtaking grace! Just as if we have never sinned! He boldly declares the guilty innocent through the powerful, redemptive work of Christ on that glorious cross.
• We are heirs with Christ! We hold the promise of eternal life! Our hearts are filled with hope and anticipation!

¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:17

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ⁴ and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. ⁵ You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3-5

There is an eternal inheritance waiting for us. It cannot be destroyed. It will never rust. It will never disappear in a stock market collapse. He is holding it in heaven for us. Let that hope motivate us to live faithfully for the Lord during our time in this world

When you find yourself on the brink of losing your temper, ready to unleash your anger, pause. Avoid engaging in fruitless arguments or voicing complaints. Take a moment to remember the overwhelming grace that has been poured into your life. Reflect on your journey—from where you once were to where you stand today. Recognize that without the transformative grace of God, you might have succumbed to foolishness. You might have become disobedient and bound by the shackles of passion. You could have harbored hatred in your heart as you once did.

When we focus on and remember God’s grace, it has several fruits in our life.

• It ignites a fiery sense of gratitude within us.
• It cultivates a profound humility that anchors our souls.
• It fills our hearts to the brim with overflowing love and divine grace for others.
• As our hearts surge with an intense love for the lost souls around us, our attitudes will transform. Our presence will also undergo a breathtaking change. We will rise above bitterness, shedding the urge to unleash negativity upon those who cross our path. Instead, we will capture the vibrant essence of the disciple Jesus proclaimed in John 7:38. “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” We will radiate boundless compassion and grace to everyone.

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Cross-References

• Colossians 2:13-14

Discussion Questions

• What is the relationship between verse 3 to verse 2? In what way were you deceived (not only doctrinally, but personally)?
• In what way were you foolish?
• Were you envious of others?
• What are some examples of things which the world views as being wise or clever but God views as being foolish?
• What changed this desperate condition? What is this that appeared? How did He appear?
• What does verse 5 tell us about the conditions for salvation? Who saved us (ourselves?)? Why? How? To what degree (6)?
• What was the result of this salvation? Heirs of what?

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