Mercy

"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." Titus 3:4-5

I was reading this verse today and though it is something I have always known, it still caught my eye.  We can do good works.  We can give in the offering at church, help with ministries, feed the poor, help the elderly neighbor, bring coffee to the boss, all of these good things and kind deeds, but that is not what saves us.  We have been saved only because the God of the universe has shown us mercy.

So many people believe that if they just lead a good life they will be saved.  They truly think that if they do not do horrible things like kill and steal and they do good deeds, that they are set for Heaven.  That is just not the case.  We have to have Christ.  He is the one and only way to Heaven. 

Should we still do good deeds?  Yes!  Verse 8 goes on to say, "...So that those who have trusted God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone."   We need to do good deeds.  Helping others is never wrong.  But we have to realize that just doing good deeds will get us nowhere.

First serve Christ.  Ask Him to show mercy on you and save you.  Live a life for Him.  Then do good deeds and help others.  When we are truly living for Christ we will want to help others, not for the reward of it or to get us to Heaven, but because we are trying to live like Christ.