| Our verse to DATE the Word on March 14 (3/14) is Titus 3:14 |
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| Titus 3:14 says, “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” DOING GOOD WORKS The Apostle Paul over and over makes it clear that our WORKS DON’T WORK for salvation. It is a false gospel to tell a person that good works will save them. As he writes to Titus he makes it abundantly clear how one OBTAINS salvation. Notice Titus 3:3-7 “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” It is hard to miss that we are “NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE.” Works don’t work to save! However, while works do not work to save, once one is saved one will be diligent to do good works! Following verse 7 Paul writes in verse 8 “This is a faithful saying and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” It is hard to miss that we who “have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.” GOOD WORKS DON’T WORK TO SAVE BUT THE SAVED WILL DO GOOD WORKS! I think I can make a strong argument that the Apostle Paul was PASSIONATE that a person is justified by faith and faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ AND that he was passionate that a believer will be fully engaged in doing good works. Three times in the book of Titus alone he stressed the necessity of believers doing good works. Notice these verses: Titus 2:14 says “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 3:8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” And our verse to DATE: Titus 3:14 “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” You might recall his teaching on good works followed after being saved from Ephesians 2:8-10. He wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Are you learning to MAINTAIN good works? Are you watching for opportunities to DO GOOD, to do good, especially to members of the household of faith? (Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.) As we do good to and for others we glorify God and even cause the unbelieving world to notice and glorify God. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 I read that Benjamin Franklin liked to ask two questions each day, one in the morning and one in the evening. The morning question was WHAT GOOD SHALL I DO TODAY? The one in the evening was WHAT GOOD HAVE I DONE TODAY? Verse to DATE the Word on March 14 (3/14) is Titus 3:14. It says, “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful,” I can’t think of a much worse commentary of a believer’s life than to hear one is unfruitful! Be good and DO good!! Continue Strong DOING GOOD WORKS! And remember to DATE THE WORD |
God Never Forsakes His People
December 22, 2024