He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:5)
Expanded Passage: Titus 3:3-5
“But Mom, you don’t remember what it’s like to be a teenager!” I’m probably not the only parent who has heard these words, and I likely won’t be the last. The reality is, it’s easy to forget what it was like when we were younger, and perhaps it is just as easy to forget what life was like before knowing Christ. When working with Christians on how to share their story of coming to know Christ, I often encourage them to reflect on three questions: What was your life like before knowing Jesus? How did you get to know him? What is your life like now? What never ceases to amaze me is that through every story, the love and kindness of Jesus shines through. It is always Jesus who does the saving. It is never something we can earn on our own. It is because of God’s mercy that we are saved.
And we aren’t just saved; we are changed. Notice the fruit that comes from Jesus’ saving work. Rather than foolishness, there is wisdom. Rather than disobedience, there is obedience. Instead of being enslaved, we live in freedom. We move from hating one another to loving one another. This is not something we can do on our own; this is something that only comes from the mercy and love of the Savior. Praise God! Let us not forget.
Take time to remember how Jesus saved you.
Jenn Petersen is president & CEO for World Hope International. She is also cofounder and copastor of Resurrection Life NYC, a Wesleyan church in Manhattan.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
