Go! And Be Washed, Renewed, And Saved - Titus 3:5–6 Series

Go! And Be Washed, Renewed, and Saved - Titus 3:5–6

Introduction

Church, let me begin with a question that strikes at the very heart of our humanity: “How do you make yourself clean before a holy God?”

The world offers countless answers—do good deeds, follow religious rituals, give to charity, try harder, live better. Yet, deep inside, every honest person knows this truth: we cannot wash ourselves clean.

This is why Titus 3:5–6 shines like a brilliant diamond in the darkness. It declares:

“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.” (Titus 3:5–6, NLT)

These verses answer humanity’s deepest need. They tell us of God’s mercy, of a cleansing greater than any ritual, of a rebirth made possible by the Spirit, and of salvation anchored in Jesus Christ alone.

So today, in our “Go! And…” series, our theme is this: Go! And Be Washed, Renewed, and Saved.

Paul is writing to Titus, a young pastor serving in Crete, an island known for moral corruption. In this context, Paul reminds Titus that the Gospel is not about moral improvement or self-reform—it is about God’s radical mercy.

The Greek word for “saved” here is sozo (s???), meaning “to deliver, rescue, make whole.” It is not partial help; it is complete salvation.

“Not because of the righteous things we had done”—Paul slams the door on self-righteousness. Our works cannot earn salvation.

“But because of his mercy.” The Greek eleos (??e??) speaks of God’s compassion toward the undeserving. Salvation begins and ends with His mercy.

“He washed away our sins”—the word loutron (???t???) refers to a bath, a cleansing so complete it leaves no stain.

“Giving us new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit”—here we see regeneration. The Spirit does not patch up the old; He makes us new.

“He generously poured out the Spirit”—the Greek plousios (p???s???) means “richly, abundantly.” God does not give the Spirit sparingly but floods our lives with His presence through Jesus Christ.

Point 1: Salvation Is All of Mercy

Paul makes it clear: salvation is not earned, but given.

Ephesians 2:8–9 echoes this truth: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (NLT)

Grace (charis) means undeserved favour. We cannot boast in salvation because it is sheer mercy.

John Piper once said, “Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon.”

That is profound. God’s mercy doesn’t merely excuse our past—it empowers our future.

Imagine a drowning man thrashing in the sea. He cannot save himself. He cannot climb into the rescue boat. The rescuer must come, lift him, and bring him to safety. That is what Christ has done for us.

Stop trusting in your goodness. Abandon self-salvation. Rest in God’s mercy through Jesus Christ.

Point 2: We Are Washed and Made New

Paul says He “washed away our sins.”

Psalm 51:7 records David’s cry: “Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (NLT)

The Hebrew word for “purify” here is ?aher (?????), meaning “to cleanse, make pure, declare clean.” Only God can do this.

Max Lucado once wrote, “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.”

God doesn’t simply wash the outside; He transforms the inside.

In Victorian London, a ragged orphan boy was found on the street. A wealthy family adopted him. The first thing they did was bathe him and give him new clothes. He was no longer an orphan but a son. Likewise, when Christ washes us, He makes us children of God.

Christian, remember—you are not who you once were. Live in the newness God has given you. Stop wearing the rags of your old life.

Point 3: The Spirit Renews and Empowers

Paul says God gave us “new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:5: “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” (NLT)

Regeneration is the Spirit’s work. He gives us new hearts, new desires, new life.

Charles Stanley once said, “The Holy Spirit is the power source for the Christian life. Without Him, we are powerless.”

This is why Paul says the Spirit is “poured out generously.” God has given us not a trickle, but a flood.