"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:3-5 NIV
Paul writes to Titus to remind him to hold on to the truth that Christ brings. He reminds Titus of the bondage we used to be under and points towards Christ as bringing an answer to our freedom. We do not have to live that way any longer, there is no excuse when we collide with the "kindness" of our saviour.
Notice how it says, "the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared...". God's kindness is not some abstract thought, His love is not a sentimental idea, it is a person! It is Jesus himself who appeared and it is Hime who saved us. God's kindness and love does does separate itself from us but meets us where we are. He meets us when we are foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved and He sets us free!
So often, we look to Christ merely as an example of how to live, but He is so much more. He is the provision of Grace, He provides the change in us from the inside out, He is the power that makes change possible. Not because of anything we have done or can do but because of His mercy.
"He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,”
It is done...He has saved us, don't insist on living in bondage!