Grace and Good Works
Scripture Reading: Psalm 112; Jeremiah 35-36; Titus 2-3
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy...I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed may be careful to devote themselves to good works.
- Titus 3:5,8 -
Two things can be true at the same time. We can preach both the gospel of salvation apart from works and the call to do good works. We don’t need to search the whole Bible to find this balance—Paul gives it right here in Titus 3. Within a few sentences, he holds both the grace of God and the call to goodness side by side.
We can preach salvation by grace through faith and the necessity of good works. These truths are not contradictory.
Yes, there’s a danger of distortion. We can make it sound as if our good works earn us favor with God or open the gates of heaven. That’s always a temptation. But there’s another danger too—turning grace into permission to live unholy and unloving lives.
That’s why Paul says to insist on both. We must hold firmly to the gospel of free grace and to the life of good works that naturally flows from it.
This kind of life doesn’t happen by accident. We must devote ourselves to it, pursue it, and look for opportunities to live it out.
What are these good works? Whatever good the Lord gives you the chance to do.
Look for it—and do it.
