A Word from the WORD: "THE ROAD OF RESTORATION" (Article 211)
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Life Fellowship
Oct 21, 2009, 2:00:09 PM10/21/09
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THE ROAD OF
RESTORATION
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:3-8 NIV)
This passage in Titus is a concise yet comprehensive explanation of the work of God through Christ in each one of us. It is a brief but beautiful description of the process and purpose of salvation.
1. THE RUIN (vs 3)
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:3-8 NIV)
This passage in Titus is a concise yet comprehensive explanation of the work of God through Christ in each one of us. It is a brief but beautiful description of the process and purpose of salvation.
1. THE RUIN (vs 3)
Paul describes the natural state of
every individual. Apart from Christ, one's condition is totally wretched and
miserable. An unbeliever is foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by
all kinds of passions and pleasures. He lives in malice and envy, being hated
and hating others.
All people may not live in this manner all the time. But this undoubtedly is what one is capable of without Christ. This is the principle working within an unbeliever and the potential present within him.
While the world says human beings are basically good, God declares us to be basically evil. Jesus told His audience, “If you, then, who are evil........” (Matthew 7:11). It is indeed a sad scenario. A sorry state of affairs.
All people may not live in this manner all the time. But this undoubtedly is what one is capable of without Christ. This is the principle working within an unbeliever and the potential present within him.
While the world says human beings are basically good, God declares us to be basically evil. Jesus told His audience, “If you, then, who are evil........” (Matthew 7:11). It is indeed a sad scenario. A sorry state of affairs.
Is there no hope for us? Is there
no way out?
2. THE REMEDY (vs 4-6)
2. THE REMEDY (vs 4-6)
God, in His kindness and love,
did not leave us in this miserable state. He sent Jesus Christ to save us
from this wretched condition and purify for Himself a people that are His very
own, eager to do what is good. The Cross of Jesus Christ was and will always,
therefore, be the greatest symbol of love!
How exactly does God wrought out this salvation in us? First, Paul clarifies that it is by God's mercy and not by righteous things we have done that we are saved. He then gives details of how the act of liberation from this sinful condition is accomplished in our lives. He describes a two-fold process, a double event explaining the “means” God uses to bring about deliverance: it is termed the “washing of rebirth” and “renewal by the outpoured Holy Spirit”.
Through the washing of rebirth (or) the bath of regeneration:
The word “rebirth” or “regeneration” has a very simple meaning in the Greek. It stands for “beginning again” or “birth again”. Paul says here that the first part of the saving event is made up of a washing or bath which enables a person to “begin again” or to “be born again”.
What kind of washing or bath is it that brings about such a transformation? The language used here clearly refers to “water baptism”. Other passages in Scripture which associate “washing” with “water baptism” also confirm this view (Acts 22:16; Eph. 5:26; 1 Peter 3:21).
Water baptism is often misunderstood in either one of two ways. It is either given a “magical stature”, such that the event by itself can accomplish something in the life of an individual. Or it is seen a “mere symbol”, just an expression of one's faith.
Both are extremes to be avoided. Those with the magical view need to see that nothing happens automatically in water baptism and those with the symbolic view need to recognise that something definitely happens when one gets baptised. The right understanding is to grasp the truth that “water baptism brings about a change and deliverance in our lives when it is entered into with repentance and faith”.
Water baptism is a physical event with a spiritual effect. It is a “bath” and a “burial”. It brings about a cleansing in our lives. It represents and accomplishes the final break with the old life of sin.
Through the renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously:
The second part of the saving event consists of receiving the Holy Spirit. The words used here- “poured out” and “generously”- are exactly the same as those described in the book of Acts when the Spirit of God came upon believers (Day of Pentecost- Acts 2:17, 33; Cornelius- Acts 10:45).
Being baptised in holy Spirit is therefore a fundamental experience, a vital need for every believer. It helps us to experience “renewal”, which means that it “makes us new again”. No wonder then that the apostles made it a point to ensure that new believers received the Spirit (Acts 8:14-17; 19:1-2).
3. THE RESULT (vs 7-8)
How exactly does God wrought out this salvation in us? First, Paul clarifies that it is by God's mercy and not by righteous things we have done that we are saved. He then gives details of how the act of liberation from this sinful condition is accomplished in our lives. He describes a two-fold process, a double event explaining the “means” God uses to bring about deliverance: it is termed the “washing of rebirth” and “renewal by the outpoured Holy Spirit”.
Through the washing of rebirth (or) the bath of regeneration:
The word “rebirth” or “regeneration” has a very simple meaning in the Greek. It stands for “beginning again” or “birth again”. Paul says here that the first part of the saving event is made up of a washing or bath which enables a person to “begin again” or to “be born again”.
What kind of washing or bath is it that brings about such a transformation? The language used here clearly refers to “water baptism”. Other passages in Scripture which associate “washing” with “water baptism” also confirm this view (Acts 22:16; Eph. 5:26; 1 Peter 3:21).
Water baptism is often misunderstood in either one of two ways. It is either given a “magical stature”, such that the event by itself can accomplish something in the life of an individual. Or it is seen a “mere symbol”, just an expression of one's faith.
Both are extremes to be avoided. Those with the magical view need to see that nothing happens automatically in water baptism and those with the symbolic view need to recognise that something definitely happens when one gets baptised. The right understanding is to grasp the truth that “water baptism brings about a change and deliverance in our lives when it is entered into with repentance and faith”.
Water baptism is a physical event with a spiritual effect. It is a “bath” and a “burial”. It brings about a cleansing in our lives. It represents and accomplishes the final break with the old life of sin.
Through the renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously:
The second part of the saving event consists of receiving the Holy Spirit. The words used here- “poured out” and “generously”- are exactly the same as those described in the book of Acts when the Spirit of God came upon believers (Day of Pentecost- Acts 2:17, 33; Cornelius- Acts 10:45).
Being baptised in holy Spirit is therefore a fundamental experience, a vital need for every believer. It helps us to experience “renewal”, which means that it “makes us new again”. No wonder then that the apostles made it a point to ensure that new believers received the Spirit (Acts 8:14-17; 19:1-2).
3. THE RESULT (vs 7-8)
Firstly, we are “justified by His
grace”. Justification is a legal term denoting that a person has been acquitted
of all charges against him on the ground of innocence. Because Jesus has paid
the penalty for our sins, we are no longer considered guilty before God! We are
no longer reckoned as sinners but treated as saints!
Secondly, we become “heirs having the hope of eternal life”. We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). This is another way of saying that “whatever belongs to God has been given to us!” The Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). And what's more, we are destined for glory. When Jesus returns to earth, we too shall share in His glory and reign with Him (Romans 8:18; Colossians 3:4). What a hope we have- we will behold Him, become like Him, and be with Him forever and ever!
Thirdly, we are exhorted to “devote ourselves to doing what is good”. Paul was especially concerned about the lifestyle of the believers in Crete. Having come from a pagan background, it seemed that they still had old ways and patterns of behaviour which was affecting their testimony as a church as well. He therefore gives clear instructions, throughout his letter, regarding how each believer is to conduct himself in a manner worthy of the Gospel.
Secondly, we become “heirs having the hope of eternal life”. We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). This is another way of saying that “whatever belongs to God has been given to us!” The Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). And what's more, we are destined for glory. When Jesus returns to earth, we too shall share in His glory and reign with Him (Romans 8:18; Colossians 3:4). What a hope we have- we will behold Him, become like Him, and be with Him forever and ever!
Thirdly, we are exhorted to “devote ourselves to doing what is good”. Paul was especially concerned about the lifestyle of the believers in Crete. Having come from a pagan background, it seemed that they still had old ways and patterns of behaviour which was affecting their testimony as a church as well. He therefore gives clear instructions, throughout his letter, regarding how each believer is to conduct himself in a manner worthy of the Gospel.
The grace of
the Lord Jesus be with you!
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