Jesus saved us (Titus 3:5)

“Jesus saved us,

Not because of any works

Of righteousness

That we had done,

But according

To his mercy,

Through the washing water

Of rebirth

And renewal

By the Holy Spirit.”

οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ἃ ἐποιήσαμεν ἡμεῖς ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος ἔσωσεν ἡμᾶς διὰ λουτροῦ παλινγενεσίας καὶ ἀνακαινώσεως Πνεύματος Ἁγίου,

Paul said, “Jesus saved us (ἔσωσεν ἡμᾶς), not because of any works (οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων) of righteousness (τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ) that we had done (ἃ ἐποιήσαμεν ἡμεῖς), but according to his mercy (ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος), through the washing water (διὰ λουτροῦ) of rebirth (παλινγενεσίας) and renewal (καὶ ἀνακαινώσεως) by the Holy Spirit (Πνεύματος Ἁγίου).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word λουτροῦ, that means a washing, a bath, or water for washing, and the word ἀνακαινώσεως, that means renewal or change of heart or life.  Paul explained it very clearly.  Jesus Christ has saved us, not because of any righteous thing that we have done.  No, we are saved because of Christ’s mercy.  We have been saved through the washing waters of baptism.  Thus, we have been reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit.  Everything starts new with our baptism in Jesus Christ.  Rebirth and renewal began our new life in Christ.  Do you live a renewed saved life in Christ?