Key Verse: Titus 3:8 “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.” All throughout the New Testament we are reminded that good works cannot and do not save us! Only the gracious gift of salvation offered from God can save us, and that gift that is available to all is yours if you just believe that Christ died and rose from the grave. Here in this verse, Paul is particularly worried about what comes next, what comes after we profess Christ as Lord and Savior. He says that we must be careful to maintain good works! What are these good works? In the narrowest sense they are the 10 commandments. Loving God above all else, not committing adultery, not murdering, etc. In the broadest sense it is doing anything and everything that is good and reflects the character of God. It may be giving money to a widow in the community, spending time with a fatherless boy or a motherless girl, cutting the grass at the church, praying in public, holding the door for a someone, etc. We must make sure that we do these thins! Why!? Is it because these good works save us? Absolutely not! Paul ends this verse by stating that these things are good and profitable towards men! How is this the case? When others see us as professing Christians walking the walk they get a better look at the power and love of Jesus. As we give to the needy they see Jesus’ heart for all people, rich and poor alike. As we practice forgiveness and patience with unbelievers they see the transforming power of Christ. When we do the things God commands us the unbelieving world comes face to face with the reality of God and the wonderful love and power of Jesus Christ. We are His ambassadors, so as we go about day let us do good works so the world gets a glimpse at Jesus!
