Titus 3:4-7 says this:
4 But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, 5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope.
Did you catch that HE saved us "not because of any works of righteousness that we had done"? So many people are still trying to make themselves good enough by doing good deeds when the Word of God so specifically says this in Isaiah 64:6:
6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. NKJV
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. KJV
21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness]. AMP
GOD did this and it was GOOD in His sight to do so! Receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Savior is what is needed to be made righteous, having right-standing, with God! We can add nothing to HIS work and nothing we can ever do will undo it! It is time to stop striving to "be good" and simple spend time in His presence and in His Word so that we can begin to think like Him, then we will speak like Him and act like Him! THAT is the answer to sin! NOT trying to "be good" or to "do good works". Psalm 119:11:
11 Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You. KJV
So, feed daily on His Word (Job 23:12) and stay filled with His Spirit! Then the evidence that you have been made righteous will begin to show forth! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "For Who Your Are":
Shalom in Him!
