NOTES for Tit 3:1-15

Why does the Lord love us? Because we are good? Hardly... Because he likes us? Not that either. It is doubtful that, in our present sinful state, we could be particularly pleasing to him who is goodness itself, righteousness itself... Then why? Because he loves. Why must we love our neighbors? Because they are good? That is not always the case. Because we like them? That would be far too easy. The apostle Paul reminds us today that God saved us not because of our righteousness, but according to his mercy. We too must love in the same way: not on account of any merit, but simply love.