For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:3-7

This morning I listened to a sermon by Alistair Begg as I do most mornings. Today’s message tied in nicely to the verses above as he encouraged his listeners to not forget what kind of people we used to be.

Why? Once we’ve received God’s grace in our own lives it is all too easy to forget that we were once in a similar position to the people around us.

Where is our compassion? We were “once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.”

Here’s the thing. It is the “goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior” not “not because of works done by us in righteousness.”

It is His mercy for us and for those who still don’t believe.