Friday, January 9, 2009

Good Works

I was dictating spelling words to my son today and I love that my spelling curriculum includes famous quotes and scriptures to show the context of the spelling word.

The spelling word was careful.

The verse was a portion of Titus 3:8 - Those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.

I have been meaning to do a study for a while of all the verses that mention good works.  So I wanted to highlight this one in my Bible.

I opened up to that chapter and read the first eight verses.  Paul here is writing to Titus and exhorting him in what he should be preaching to others.  Verse 1 he says to remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities (very applicable to us today) and to be ready for every GOOD WORK.  Verse 2 he goes on to say that we should speak evil of no one and be peaceable, showing humility to everyone.  Verse 3 is the reason, because we ourselves were once deceived and foolish, slaves to sin and hating one another.  Verse 4 is the ray of light---it was the kindness and love of God our Savior and (verse 5) NOT our WORKS of righteousness, it was His MERCY that saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (this reminds me of my past article on the subject).  Verse 6 goes on to tell us how He poured out that love on us through Jesus Christ.  Verse 7 is very important to get--we have been justified by His grace!  If you don't have a thorough understanding of this, please go read Galatians and then Romans.  And finally, verse 8, we should maintain good works.  Why?  Because these things are good and profitable to men.  Never forget this--the good works DON'T save you, they are good and profitable to men, this means to yourself and to others, in many different ways.  Our good works can bring glory to God, can show others the love of Christ, can put Christians in general in a positive light in people's minds, will bring about good character qualities in ourselves such as humility and selflessness, bringing us peace, not to mention laying up treasures in heaven, BUT they are not what saves us or makes God love us anymore than He already does!

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