Not By Works But According To His Mercy — The Most Important Verse In Titus And What It Does To How You See Everyone Else | Titus 3 | Bible Chapter by Chapter

In this episode of Bible Chapter by Chapter, we walk verse by verse through Titus Chapter 3 — the final chapter of the letter, where Paul grounds the community's posture toward the world in the most theologically comprehensive statement of the gospel in the pastoral epistles.The chapter opens with instructions for how to live in the public square: be in subjection to authorities, ready for every good work, speak evil of no one, not contentious, gentle, showing all humility toward all men. Then the reason: for we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.We. Past tense. Were. The gentleness required toward all people is grounded in the memory of what the people of God were before grace found them.Then the gospel at its fullest: but when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared — not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves — but according to his mercy — he saved us — through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit — whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior — that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.Not by works. According to mercy. Heirs. That is the ground on which everything in the letter stands.Then the practical close: maintain good works for necessary uses, shun unprofitable disputes, avoid the factious man after two warnings, and the benediction that ends the whole letter — grace be with you all.Is there someone toward whom you have been maintaining superiority rather than gentleness, forgetting what you were? Leave your honest answer in the comments. We read every one.Scripture: World English Bible (WEB) | www.biblechapterbychapter.com#BibleStudy #Titus #AdornTheDoctrine #NotByWorks #BibleChapterByChapter