For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. BUT when the kindness of God, our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness BUT according to His mercy....by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace, we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Whenever we are tempted to whine or complain about those who do not know God, it is good for us to think back! The glorious "but": "But when the kindness of God". But according to His mercy.
It is indeed by grace and not of works so that none of us, NONE of us may boast.
