The Bible Edge
Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have the Bible Edge
Titus 3:14
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Have you ever considered the necessity of performing good works?
First of all, what are good works? In this personal letter to Titus, Paul uses the phrase “good works” four times. In 2:7 Paul directs Titus to be a pattern of good works, in 2:14 the Apostle states that the people of God are to be peculiar, zealous of good works, in 3:8 God’s children are to be reminded constantly that they be careful to maintain good works and then today’s verse which indicates that good works are for necessary uses. From these four verses it is seen that the “good works” that Paul mentions are to be performed by God’s people, that these are to be performed as a pattern for others to follow, they are to be zealously performed, they are to be maintained constantly, and they bring forth fruit in the lives of those who perform them. Basically, “good works” are works that are in keeping with the commands of the Word Of God. Turning the other cheek is a good work, so is going the extra mile, attending church, evangelizing the lost, and on and on we could go.
Why are good works necessary? For one, they glorify God our Father (Matthew 5:16). Anytime a child obeys their parents, the parents are glorified. Anyone who is a parent knows this to be true. Also, good works show forth the love of God to those who do not know God, nor the love of God. Herein is the necessity of good works. Through them others see God in action. Seeing the love of God in action, through the good works of those who are His children is the way those who do not yet know God are introduced to Him. Good works coupled with the articulation of the Gospel is a powerful dynamic duo to be sure.
These good works however do not come naturally. They must be learned. Paul states to Titus this: …let ours also learn to maintain good works. Performing a good work once in a while is admirable, but maintaining good works (performing them over and over and over again) is that which will make a difference. Perhaps this is why twice Paul reminds God’s children to …not be weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9, II Thessalonians 3:13). In the flesh, in the wisdom of the world, within the natural human condition maintaining good works is tiresome at best and useless at worst. After all, nice people finish last, right!
No, that’s wrong! For those who learn to maintain good works for necessary uses will bear fruit that passes not away. Now, that is an edge, a Bible Edge for life.
William Howe, Ph.D.
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