Based on Titus 3:1-14 (New King James Version)
“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 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. But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.”
Bono, the lead singer of the band U2 and philanthropist said this: When you align yourself with God's purpose as described in the Scriptures, something special happens to your life. Many believers have forgotten that God saved us was with the purpose for doing good works. Some people concentrate more on theology and teaching than on practice. Others take the salvation that God has given us very lightly and irresponsibly. Others are just selfish and disinterested in the needs of others. In the end, we cannot forget the very basic thing that should show what has happened in our hearts (if something really happened). We cannot forget about the importance of good works.
It is true that good works cannot save you; and the Bible is very explicit about this. We can never be good enough or do enough good things to earn an entrance into heaven. For it is written: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9. The Bible also explains: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. The Bible explains that salvation through Jesus Christ is a gift. For it says: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
So, according to the Bible, the only way a person can be saved from their sins and be able to have eternal life is through the complete repentance of sins; by confessing and asking for forgiveness for all sins committed, with the desire to turn away from them (conversion); and, by accepting Jesus as the Lord of their life (making Him the owner of their life). For it is written: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. And it also says: “But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:8-10.
Coming to salvation through Jesus Christ is very easy, if it is done with a completely surrendered heart. But, salvation has a purpose. There is a reason for salvation, and here is where a lot of people need to be reminded of this “fact”. For it is also written: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. 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. We were created for good works!
What are these good works? They are throughout the Bible. Here are some examples: “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27. “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” Matthew 25:31-36.
What many don’t realize is that with God’s grace comes responsibility. God gives us things for a reason: so we can share with those in need. For it is also written: “And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:47-48. Some might say, “Well, I’m not a servant; just a son or daughter of God.” If that is your disposition, then what is your purpose in life, especially considering that God made us for good works which implies “service”? Many complain about the world we live in, and all the evil that is in it. Well, what are you doing to change that, or to make the world a little better for at least someone else who really needs it? God is waiting for us to do something about the state of this world. He already sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross. Keep this in mind: Jesus is Lord and we should follow Him, and not the other way around. You want to be saved? Follow the path! You want the world to be different and better? Then do the things God teaches! Be the difference! Everyone has something to give, especially if they are in Christ! So, are you following Christ in the good works He has set for you? Lord bless! John