Analysis Of Salvation

But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. [Titus 3.4-7]

Paul describes to Titus here the salvation experience.

Let's analyze it.

First, salvation is initiated by God: "When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us." He goes on to clarify that no good thing we have done causes salvation, but that it is entirely God's mercy. In fact, salvation is "by invitation only." The Good News is that ALL are invited - although no other RSVP but faith gets one "on the list." Here is a thought to chew on: we don't choose to be saved - we instead humbly submit to God's Word, Jesus Christ. Herein is salvation.

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. [John 15.16]

Next, following God's initiation of mercy and man's response of faith, Paul said, "He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit." Now, what is said here presents a problem for many because of the last part of the statement: "new life through the Holy Spirit." If a person has genuinely experienced a new birth, then there will be new life through the Holy Spirit! Jesus identified the work of the Holy Spirit in Luke's gospel:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]

As much as we like to console ourselves that, "we know we believed and are saved," there is qualifiable evidence of salvation, the work of the Holy Spirit of God, that confirms it. I suppose it might be argued that one can experience the new birth without experiencing the new life through the Holy Spirit, but is it worth the risk? Besides, Paul goes on to say, "He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior." Can a person genuinely desire Christ in new birth and not naturally desire the new life through the Holy Spirit?

Finally, in response to the questions posed above, Paul points out that because of His grace we are made right in His sight. But then Paul goes on to explain that when this is done we can have confidence we will inherit eternal life. The confidence does not come until we are made right. All we can deduce from this is that if we are struggling with confidence in our salvation, then perhaps we've not been made right! Herein lies the eternal benefit of humility!

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [James 4.6]

A truly repentant and humble spirit before God is NEVER a bad thing. In fact, it is the only attitude God will accept from us. Think about that a moment...

The point of what I wish to convey today is this: we are not saved because we say we are! We are saved because God saves us. AND, as much as it upsets popular modern theology, salvation has certain qualifiable evidence: the work of the Holy Spirit as identified by Jesus in Luke 4.18-19 above. It is this generous outpouring of the Holy Spirit that is the basis then for our confidence.

Father, may we be found very candid in our examination of ourselves regarding salvation. May the outcome of this candid examination yield whatever humble response necessary until confidence is the result!