The Full GospelSample

The Kindness and Love of God // The Gospel According to Titus

In the Book of Titus, we are given a stark contrast between who we were before Jesus found us, and the radically generous love and kindness the gospel promises us. Here’s what Paul wrote:

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. Titus 3:3 NIV

Paul is not pulling any punches here. He is speaking clearly about what our lives are like when we bow the knee to sin instead of our Savior. While we may find ourselves tempted to downplay our own depravity, this level of honesty is often the pathway to real humility. If we aren’t willing to own our inadequacies and insecurities, then our inadequacies and insecurities will own us.

This is why the practice of confession is so powerful and essential in the life of a believer. Confession is being brutally honest with ourselves, God, and others about the things we’ve done wrong. It’s admitting the choices we’ve made that were not loving to God or other people.

If this isn’t something you’ve ever done before, then let today be the day you start. You can start by finishing this sentence: “God, I admit that I have ________.”

Then, follow it up with these requests: “Will you forgive me?” And, “Will you help me do better?” It can be that simple.

Once you’ve done that, the next, often scarier, step is to tell another person. This could be a close friend, a family member, a trusted member of your church, or a pastor.

This is an important step because confession to God brings forgiveness, and confession to people brings healing.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NIV

There’s something special that happens when we say out loud the thing we don’t want anyone to know about us, and instead of getting up and walking away, they listen to our confession, respond with kindness, and pray for us.

The more seriously we take the ugliness of our sin, the better we can appreciate the beauty of God’s grace. And when we reveal the ugliness of our sin to another human being, we experience the grace of God extended to us through them. Sometimes the most powerful expression of God’s love is when it comes through a person. This is why confession matters. And this is why Jesus came.

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. Titus 3:4-7 NIV

The kindness and love of God appeared through Jesus Christ our Savior. As we read in Colossians, Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. And in a few days, when we read Hebrews, we’ll see how Jesus is the perfect representation of the Father.

Everything Jesus said and did is a demonstration of God’s love. It’s a love big enough to speak the universe into being and close enough to meet us in our time of greatest need.

We didn’t earn this special love. Instead, He saved us because of His mercy. We deserved punishment, but He showed us kindness. We have been justified by His grace. Forgiveness of sins and newness of life in Christ Jesus is a gift that we do not deserve but it’s offered anyway. Why? Because God loves you.

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 3:8 NIV

The gospel is good news because it’s true. It can be trusted. When you build your life on the reality of what Jesus has done and who He’s inviting you to become, you will never come up short. He is faithful, and He always keeps His promises.

So we devote ourselves to doing what is good. We make loving God and loving others the primary aim of our lives because we have received a love that is far too wonderful to be kept to ourselves. The gospel is good news because it changes everything for the better.