This may or may not shock you, but I like myself. And often times, it’s pretty important to me that you like me too. Which means I often try to emphasize the likeable parts of me to others, and hide the rest of me. The amazing thing about God is that He knows us so very well, even the nasty parts we try to keep hidden, and yet loves us!
Take a look at how God describes us:
For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
Titus 3:3
This isn’t a pretty picture! And it’s temptation to say that this verse describes other people. But the point is that I am included in that description. Yep, there’s me – second row, left hand side! With such sin characterizing me, it’s no wonder that I cannot save myself. I needed God to rescue me, for I am a practicing sinner.
Which is why we need to read the next few verses. Right after the description of our nastiness, we read this:
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
Titus 3:4
Did you catch that? Even though each one of you was quite unpleasant in sin, God showed His kindness and love for you!
And what did this love do? Here is the answer:
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:5-7
God took the initiative to save you, not because of who you are, but because of who He is. He rescues you because of His kindness, His love, and His mercy.
When you believe in Jesus Christ, you are saved from your sins. You are washed clean and renewed by the Holy Spirit! You are justified or declared right before God by the grace of Jesus Christ! You have a rich inheritance awaiting you as a child of God!
So, yes, God loves you, even when you are hateful. And He saves you and He is changing you to be like His perfect Son, Jesus Christ! This is the Gospel, which should leave you both humbled and amazed!