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
Heavenly Father, if I was into tattoos and this Scripture if wasn’t so long, I might consider having it inked onto my body. I want to have this amazing summary of the gospel ever before my eyes, shaping my every thought, coursing through my veins, motivating my every move. Much better than getting a tattoo, however, is knowing you’ve already written this truth on my heart with indelible ink. What truth, beauty and joy!
Father, you’re such an immeasurably generous and incomparably creative God. Your kindness and love appeared to me out of nowhere, like a double rainbow after a hurricane; like a rain storm in the middle of a arid desert; like a full moon on the horizon of the bleakest night. I wasn’t seeking you, but you were seeking me—running to me, running after me; not to harm me, but to rescue me from the dominion of darkness, the guilt of my sin and the shame of my story. I praise you for your multiple and daily mercies.
And what a “bath” you gave me in the gospel—washing me, once and for all, through the new birth. Now, you continue to renew, revive, and refresh me through the ministry of the Holy Spirit—poured forth like a healing waterfall of kindness, an artesian spring of hope, a liberating river of grace. All of these blessings come to us so freely because you’ve given Jesus for us so fully.
Now that you’ve justified me by your grace, the rest of my life is defined by heirship and hope. Though I sometimes feel and act like a fatherless, futureless orphan, nothing could be farther from the truth. The saints in heaven are happier but no more secure than I am. You will bring to completion the good work you’ve begun in us and in the entire universe. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah! So very Amen I pray in Jesus’ glorious and triumphant name.
