June 24, 2015

Works!

Titus 3:4-8

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 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, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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.

Encouraging Words

Works! There is such a heated debate around works. Paul reminds Titus, and us, that it was not our works of righteousness that earned us salvation. It was the kindness and love of God our Savior toward us, and His mercy that we have been justified through and made heirs to His kingdom. It is all about what God did and the fact that we are blessed recipients of His love. However, he does not stop here. He tells us that because of this gift from God we should maintain good works for Him. Glory be to God!