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. 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.
- Titus 3:3-5a
Few passages in Scripture capture the “before and after” of Christian salvation as powerfully as this one. In just a couple of verses, Paul moves from the dark reality of our life without Christ to the glorious light of God’s saving mercy. He reminds Titus and us that the gospel is not about what we’ve done for God but about what God has done for us in Christ.
Just before this, Paul called for believers to live peaceably and gently in society. Christians should live this way because we know firsthand what it means to be lost in sin and found by grace. Remembering who we once were keeps us humble, compassionate, and thankful. Remembering how we were saved keeps us centered on mercy rather than pride.
Paul begins in verse 3 with a sobering description of human life apart from Christ: foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved. The word “foolish” here does not mean lacking intelligence but lacking spiritual discernment. Apart from Christ, we lived without the wisdom of God, following our own ways. “Disobedient” underscores our rebellion against God’s commands. This is the universal human condition; we resist God’s authority and seek independence.
Not only are we rebellious, but we are also deceived. Sin blinds us to truth. We think we are free, but in reality, we are enslaved. We chase satisfaction in places that cannot satisfy, believing lies about what will make us happy. The language of being enslaved is strong but necessary. Our desires, instead of being good gifts under God’s direction, dominate and control us. Whether it’s lust, greed, gluttony, or selfish ambition, sinful desires trap us. The modern world often celebrates “following your desires” or “following your heart,” but Paul reveals the tragic reality: apart from Christ, desires enslave us.
But sin is not just against God; it is also against others. A life without Christ is marked by the breakdown of relationships: malice (ill-will toward others), envy (resenting others’ blessings), and cycles of hatred. This description may sound extreme, but look at the anger, division, and hostility in our world today. It is the natural fruit of a heart estranged from God.
After painting this bleak picture, in verse 4, Paul shifts to one of the most beautiful contrasts in Scripture. Human sin is not the end of the story! God stepped in. Salvation is not the result of humanity climbing its way up to God, but of God coming down to us. God’s kindness and love appeared and were made visible in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Notice what motivated salvation: kindness and love. God is not distant or indifferent. His heart toward sinners is compassion. Even while we were foolish, deceived, and enslaved, His love moved Him to act. This is crucial for us to grasp. Many imagine God as perpetually angry, waiting for us to earn His approval. But the gospel reveals the opposite: God moved first, out of love. His kindness and mercy are the fountain of salvation.
At the start of verse 5, Paul makes it absolutely clear that we were not saved by anything that we had done. No amount of moral effort, religious rituals, or good deeds could save us (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Even our best attempts at righteousness are tainted by sin and fall short of God’s perfect standard (see Isaiah 64:6 and Romans 3:23-24). Salvation is not a reward for human effort.
Mercy means God withholds the judgment we deserve and gives us grace instead. Salvation is a gift, not a wage. It is rooted in God’s compassion, not our merit. This truth is the heartbeat of the gospel and the foundation of Christian assurance. If salvation were based on our works, we could never be certain. But because it is based on God’s mercy, we can rest secure that we are saved through God’s grace and our faith in Christ Jesus.
Paul didn’t write these verses as abstract theology. He wrote them to shape how Christians live in the real world. If God’s kindness and love moved Him to save us, then kindness and love should be foundational in our lives. The truth that we were saved not by works but by mercy should shape how we relate to others. We must not demand that people earn our love or forgiveness. Just as God extended mercy freely, so should we.
But the most important part of this to apply to our lives is that salvation is God’s work, not ours. This gives us confidence and security. It also directs all glory to Him. We should not be glorified for anything that we do, but rather, we should direct all glory to God, who truly deserves it. That should be our greatest witness and testimony: what God did for us and how He gave us salvation through His great love and mercy.
For followers of Jesus Christ today, this truth should shape everything about our lives. May we never forget where we came from, and may we always live in the light of God’s mercy.
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