“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:3-7
We marvel at the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. But consider the even greater transformation God accomplishes when a sinner repents and believes in Jesus.
- Blindness to the truth is replaced by clear understanding.
- Guilt and shame are replaced by forgiveness and a new identity in Christ.
- Bondage to selfishness and sin is replaced by freedom.
- Emptiness and brokenness are replaced by the fullness of the Spirit of God and the healing He brings.
- Alienation from God as His enemy is replaced by adoption into His family and intimate relationship.
- Conflicted relationships with people begin to be healed and restored as God’s love flows through you.
- And even the frustration of daily work starts to have deeper meaning and fruitfulness.
Don’t forget the beauty and wonder of our 3D gospel. The good news of all Jesus accomplished is not just for you (1D). Nor is it just for us (2D). The transforming grace of the Lord Jesus is for the whole world (3D).
Titus 3 is rightfully one of the great gospel passages in the New Testament, beautifully expressing the radical change God accomplishes in us in Christ. But look at the CONTEXT of this challenging letter.
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work… 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… And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”
Titus 3:1,8,14
Right before, right after and again at the end of this chapter Paul puts the focus on GOOD WORKS.
- “to be ready for every good work…” v. 1
- “to devote themselves to good works…” v. 8
- “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works.” v. 14
Why?
So they will not be UNFRUITFUL.
Is God concerned about our fruitfulness?
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
John 15:1-2
It would seem so.
We are not saved BY our good works. But we absolutely are saved FOR good works.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:8-10
CREATED in Christ Jesus. At the moment you put your faith in Jesus you were “born again,” as a new creation in Christ. Just as He breathed life into your physical body at the moment you were conceived, so He breathed life into your eternal spirit at the moment you believed. He re-created you FOR GOOD WORKS. That’s the WHY of your existence.
Yes, you are an object of God’s grace to display His mercy and goodness for all of eternity. But you are also a CHANNEL of His grace, to pass along His goodness and love and shalom RIGHT NOW.
Rejoice in the transforming work of God in you! Be overwhelmed by His goodness and mercy to save and change you. Then move forward with all that God has given you and share it with as many people as you can, in as many ways as you can, for as long as you can (that’s a bad attempt at a Wesley quote).
You have specific good works to walk in. Get steppin’.