But then something happened. God our Savior and His hesed love* for mankind entered our world. He saved us, not on the basis of our righteous deeds, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. All of this happened so that through His grace we would be accepted into God’s covenant family and appointed to be His heirs, full of the hope that comes from knowing you have eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement. Titus 3:4-8a Adapted

*Hesed (Hebrew) is a defining characteristic of God expressed in His willingness to forgive wrongdoing and to take upon Himself the sin, rebellion, and transgressions of His people. It is an expression of compassion, mercy, faithfulness, and love impelled by a free-willed decision and not by obligation.