"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."
Writing to the young pastor Titus, Paul succinctly sums up the gospel of Jesus Christ, instructing Titus to stress these things. As the children of God, we must never forget the good news of God’s saving grace. On our own, we are unrighteous, and unable through our own works to be reconciled to Him. Rather, it is only His mercy that saves us, for we are completely dependent on His kindness and love.
The same love which He revealed to us in Christ’s death for us, while we were still sinners. And it is through this outpouring on the cross that we are washed clean by His blood, made a new creation in Christ. And in this rebirth and renewal, we are born of the Holy Spirit, given to us as a deposit, guaranteeing our inheritance and securing our hope for eternal life.