The Truth About Good Works in Titus

The Truth About Good Works in Titus

 

Titus is a relatively short letter written by Paul to Titus as pastoral advice and instruction. Throughout the three sections (chapters) of this letter, the subject of good works comes up repeatedly. Let’s examine what Paul wrote to this Church leader about works.

 

 

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

• Paraphrase: There are people who say they know God, yet they are really unbelievers. Their lives before God are detestable and their works are worthless.

 

 

Titus 2:7-8 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

• Paraphrase: Christians should set a good example by their works. Their teachings must be pure, they must be serious about their faith, their words must be reliable and beyond criticism; so that those opposing their faith are the ones discredited and unbelievers are left with nothing bad to say about Christians.

 

 

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

• Paraphrase: Christ shed His blood and gave His life to free us from our bondage to sin (He literally purchased us by paying our debt). Christ did this to cleanse us and set us apart as His possession. We are to be passionate about showing His love through good works.

 

 

Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

• Paraphrase: Christian leaders are to inform the flock of their obligation to obey the law and governmental regulations. Christians should be ready, willing and able to perform good deeds whenever the opportunities present themselves (not just when it is convenient or comfortable).

 

 

Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

• Paraphrase: Christ saved us because of His mercy; not because of any works we have done attempting to earn righteousness. Salvation means we are given new life, all things are made new, and we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit (which is generously given to us at our conversion).

 

 

Titus 3:7-8 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

• Paraphrase: We are justified before God and made heirs to the promise of eternal life by His grace alone. This is the truth; as Christians we can speak these things with confidence. And hearing these things, believers should embrace the value of good works, accept the responsibility of good works, understand the positive impact of good works, and be diligent to perform good works.

 

 

Our human nature, our upbringing, the world around, and Satan all lead us to believe we have to work to achieve a good standing before God. We think we have to earn His love and then work to keep it. We start believing the lie that we can earn righteousness. The Bible, God’s Holy Word, reveals the lies and deceptions about our works.  

 

 

In Titus, we find a great summary of the truth about works. Our works are very important; yet they do not contribute to our salvation or keep us from losing it. Genuinely good works before God are a result of salvation. Good works show the love of Christ, impact people’s lives for the better, show our love and appreciation for God, build a strong testimony for Christians, and are very important and helpful in evangelism. Just as we should always be ready to discuss the reasons for our faith in Christ (see 1 Peter 3:15), we should always be ready to demonstrate our faith in Christ and love for others through good works.

 

 

Prayer

 

 

Dear Lord, please reveal the true value of good works by the conviction and leading of Your Holy Spirit. Give me a desire to show Your love through good works. Guide me to the situations, timing and activities that glorify Your name and achieve Your purposes. May my words and actions draw others closer to You. Strengthen me, empower me, and guide me to the works You have ordained for me. I love You and praise You for the clarity found in Titus about good works. Praise be to Your Holy name forever. In the name of Christ, by His shed blood I pray, Amen. 

 

Beyond Imagination

Beyond Imagination

 

God makes many promises in His Word. There is a powerful statement in Jeremiah where God declares His faithfulness in going beyond what we can even imagine in meeting our needs. But we have to call out to Him (showing our dependence on Him and trust in Him).

• Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

 

When we faithfully call on God, He will provide wisdom and ideas and resources and opportunities and strength and passion and courage and favor and so much more; and He will do it in ways and in quantities that we don’t even know to pray for.  

 

In 2 Chronicles, we read that Asa, King of Judah, sought after God and trusted Him when the Ethiopian Zerah threatened the southern kingdom. God was faithful and brought victory despite Judah being vastly outnumbered (see 2 Chronicles 14:9-12).

 

But later, when Baasha, King of Israel, intended to cut off Judah from northern trade routes by building Ramah, instead of turning to God, Asa now turned to Syria for help (see 2 Chronicles 16). This chain of events leads us to an incredible statement in scripture:

• 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
• The first half of this verse tells us that God is not passively sitting back as he reigns over his creation; He is actively searching for opportunities to demonstrate His power on behalf of those who approach Him in humility, obedience, submission and trust (see the five part devotion H.O.S.T posted on 1/19 – 2/16, 2013 on this site).
• The second half of this verse makes very clear the catastrophic results we face if we put our trust in anything other than God. 

 

So, as Christians, how does all this apply to us as the church and to each of us personally?

 

In this fallen world, we face many challenges as the body of Christ and as individuals. But God has promised:

• If we depend on Him, He will provide for us in ways we haven’t even imagined.
• If we trust in Him in every situation, He will faithfully see us through and accomplish His glorious purposes.
• If we trust in our own strength, knowledge, ideas, etc. (or anyone or anything else other than God), we only have ourselves to blame for the disastrous results.

 

Simply put, God loves us more than we are capable of understanding. His love for us is perfect. John 3:16, 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, and many, many other verses in Holy Scripture provide insight into what perfect love is and How God consistently demonstrates His perfect love for us. He is actively seeking those who turn to Him and depend on Him. Our Heavenly Father loves to do great things for us; and He gives the best things (see Matthew 7:11 and James 1:17).

 

 

Prayer

 

My gracious, loving, merciful and generous Heavenly Father, I pray that in every circumstance in life, by the leading and power of Your Holy Spirit, You will give me the inclination and desire to turn to You, and trust in You, and call out to You. May I never trust in my strength. May I never boast in my abilities. May I never limit your grace with what my limited mind can conceive. Thanks for Your perfect love. Thanks for Your unexpected provision. Thanks for the protection and peace You bring to my daily life. I praise You and love You. In Christ’s precious and powerful name, Amen.