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.
Rely on the Spirit. Walk by His leading. Seek His filling daily. You cannot live the Christian life in your own strength.
Gospel Presentation::
Let me speak plainly: we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (NLT)
Sin separates us from God. The penalty is death—Romans 6:23 declares,
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NLT)
But God, in mercy, sent His Son. Jesus Christ lived the perfect life we could not live, died the death we deserved, and rose again in victory. By His death, our sins are washed away. By His resurrection, new life is given.
Salvation is not earned; it is received by repentance and faith. To repent is to turn from sin. To believe is to trust Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
Call to Action:
So, what must we do?
If you are not saved, repent and trust in Christ today.
If you are saved, live as one washed and renewed. Stop returning to the mud. Live Spirit-filled, Spirit-led lives.
Share this Gospel. Our world is filled with people who still think they must earn salvation. Show them God’s mercy in Christ.
Tim Keller once said, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
That is the truth we must live and proclaim.
Invitation to Salvation:
Friend, if you have never trusted Christ, hear this invitation:
God’s mercy is for you. His cleansing is for you. His Spirit is ready to renew you. But you must come to Jesus.
Romans 10:9 says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (NLT)
Would you repent and believe today? Would you confess Christ as Lord?
Conclusion:
Beloved, we are saved not by our works, but by His mercy. We are washed, renewed, and filled with the Spirit. Let us go and live as witnesses of this Gospel.
Benediction:
Go now, washed in His mercy, renewed by His Spirit, and empowered to live for His glory. May the Lord bless you, keep you, and shine His face upon you as you go and proclaim His saving grace to a world that needs Him. Amen.
