“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:4-7
“We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”
Isaiah 64:6
but one must SHOW their own love of God....by doing good, refraining from sin...
I know so many so called "Christians" who's only objective is to get the name of "Jesus" in their prayers as often as they can...
otherwise, they cheat the govt and others and lie all the time....
the more they proclaim how great a Christian they are, the more I distrust them...the more they say they are "saved" the more suspect they are...
**Titus 3:4-7 ....but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,....**
Written by Paul to Titus, a convert of his, that was bishop of the church in Crete.
Paul tells about his own conversion, to king Agrippa (in Acts 22:16); where Damascus disciple Ananias said to an obviously repentant Paul:
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord”.