The Weekly Word - A Devotion for the Week of January 8
The Lord transforms our hearts and minds – not because of what we’ve done, but because of His love and mercy.
At the beginning of verse 4, the words call us to contemplate the kindness and love of God. Our God is not distant or indifferent; He is a God of compassion, mercy, and unconditional love. The very nature of God’s love for us is beyond our understanding; it is a love that reaches out to us even in our unworthiness.
Verse 5 reminds us of an important aspect of our faith: “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.” Salvation is not a reward for our righteous deeds but a product of God’s mercy. No amount of good deeds could bridge the gap between our imperfection and God’s holiness.
Paul then goes on to talk about the washing of rebirth which symbolizes the cleansing and renewal that occurs when we surrender to God’s mercy. This rebirth is not a mere external washing but a transformation from within. When we give our lives to Christ, we allow the Holy Spirit to work and make us new creations.
The Holy Spirit plays a pivotal role in our renewal process. It is the Spirit of God that transforms our hearts, enabling us to live in alignment with God’s will. As we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we experience a continual renewal. We leave our old ways behind and embrace the characteristics of Christ.
May we be vessels of God’s mercy, sharing the good news of salvation with a world in need of redemption.