Tag: Good Works are NOT an Option for Believers - Titus

Titus 1:16

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Tag:  Good Works are NOT an Option for Believers

Note the following verses in this letter by Paul to young preacher Titus:

Titus 2:7

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

Titus 2:14

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 3:1

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

Titus 3:8

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

Titus 3:14

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

Paul wants Titus to realize that our purpose for salvation was to glorify God with our new life by doing those things that glorify and honor Christ.   We are not saved to enjoy our life.  We are saved to serve and honor Him.   Our good works do not save us, but our good works show that our salvation is real.   Notice what James tells us:

James 2:14-17

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Faith without works is a dead faith.  We are admonished, repeatedly, to be doing good works.  These are good works that were designed for us from before the foundation of the world:

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.