Closer Day By Day

If you are also on the church’s mailing list for regular christian message, you would have receive one email yesterday titled “Three things we lack” - we owe God glory, we lack love towards our brethren, and we still owe the debt of preaching the gospel.

Coincidently (or maybe not :)), today we read Paul’s epistle to Titus, exhorting him to stay in Crete, so that he may “set in order the things that are lacking” (Titus 1:5).

Let’s read…

Bible Passage:  Titus 1-3

What is the first thought you had after reading this epistle? Did you notice that two words kept repeating themselves?

Good works.

Let’s take a closer look.

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. (Titus 1:16)

in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. (Titus 2:7-8)

who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:14)

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work. (Titus 3:1)

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. (Titus 3:8)

And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:14).

Sounds like good works are synonymous with being a true believer of Christ.

In a sermon during the RE teacher’s retreat that is taking place currently, preacher also made use of Titus 2:7 to exhort teachers to be a pattern of good works to the students. And who is the only one that is good?

Jesus.

The role of teachers is to show the goodness of Jesus and teachers were encouraged to follow the example of Jesus, and one aspect of Jesus is meekness and gentleness.

And this is in accord with what Paul exhorted Titus in 3:2,

to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

So have we shown ourselves to be a pattern of good works in all things? Have we maintain good works, as Paul said all believers should (Titus 3:8, 14)?

I would think that for most of us, “good works” often only takes second place. After all, we are saved by grace through faith, not by any good or righteous works. It is the blood of Jesus that washes away our sins, and it is only through Him that we are reconciled as the children of God. Therefore, the more important thing for me is to follow God’s salvation plan, to be baptised and to receive the Holy Spirit. Doing good works is good, but it is secondary. It does not matter whether I do more or less.

Is it?

Note that the original Greek word “maintain” connotes priority, such as “devoting oneself before all else to.” In other words, believers of God should devote themselves towards good works, even giving priority to these things.

Do we?

Another bible verse also says this:

众人以为美的事要留心去做 (Romans 12:17).

It is important to recognise that while good works do not contribute to our salvation, it should be the outcome of our faith and salvation in God. Those who profess themselves to be true believers of Christ will inevitably show good works. Titus 3:4-8 reminds us why we should do good towards others - because our God first did such a good work in us, so also we should do the same thing unto others.  This has the same principle as “Forgive, as God forgave you.”

What exactly does “good works” refer to? The Chinese Bible also translates “good works” as either good behaviours (Matthew 5:16) or a beautiful thing (Mark 14:6). Basically, they are whatever is good and profitable to men (Titus 3:8). “Good” has the connotation of being beautiful, while “works” has the connotation of toil and labour. Good works are whatever we do that may help the needy, or whatever that can bring people to believe in God (John 13:34-35) and glorify Him (Matthew 5:14-16).

We all have had one time or another grew weary of doing good, haven’t we? What helped us to carry on? Other than the encouragement that comes from “In a little while…” , the support from like-minded brethren really does make a difference. Hebrews 10:24 says to consider one another, and to stir up love and good works in each other. Indeed, love and good works can actually be stirred up. Have you helped to stir up love and good works in your brethren today?

Also, note that love and good works go together. The love of God is what compels us to love and do good to others.

Do we lack love? Do we lack good works?

We are back to where we started - the three things we lack.

When we have good works, we are actually fulfilling all three, aren’t we?