The Love of God: Our Savior Appeared and Saved us (Titus 3:1-8)
by Pastor Cesar Crisostomo | December 16, 2018
Titus 3:1-8We should really be amazed of the Christmas plan of God. “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy” (Titus 3:4). In our scripture reading, the Apostle Paul reveals how we are. That at one time, we too are foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another (Titus 3:3). But because of God’s kindness, His mercy and love for all mankind, the Savior came into the world to save us.
God’s Christmas plan.1. Jesus came to show us His plan to change people from what they were to what they could be. He came to renew and rework our hearts and life. God’s plan is special because it spares you and me from all the trouble that we could ultimately face from going our own way. Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” God’s plans are always better than our plans. It never changes.
2. Jesus came to reveal to us God’s love and forgiveness. He came to save you and I. People who have resisted the Lord, those who don’t know the love of God are extremely weary. They work harder and longer but with no result or fulfillment because they don’t have God’s help and sustaining grace. People who have rejected God’s mercy and grace are angry because things aren’t working out. They think they can live without God and go their own way and pursue their own plans but their lives are just a mess. Then because of His kindness and Love our Savior appeared. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). For those of us who believes we are saved, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy (Titus 3:5).
3. Jesus came to show us our real purpose. That we might be like Him. To live like Him and to love like Him. This requires knowing Him and surrendering to Him. When we do, He helps accomplish a lot of things. He helps us resist temptations (Psalm 119:11). Knowing Him gives direction to our lives to live wisely (Psalm 119:105). Knowing Him gives us strength and hope to carry on during difficult times (Psalm 119:49). Knowing Him gives us joy (Jeremiah 15:16). Knowing Him helps us to witness and tell people why we are different because Jesus has changed us (1 Peter 3:15). Knowing Him helps us to devote ourselves to doing what is good (Titus 3:8).
