Devotion to Good Works

I was reading one of my favorite chapters in the bible this morning and thought I would put down a couple thoughts. I am going to work backwards through this passage so we can better understand what we sometimes miss when we just read real fast through a bible passage. In Titus chapter 3 Paul tells his pastor friend Titus a few things he needs to insist on if he wants his people to be devoted to good works. Here is the vs “The saying is trustworthy, and 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. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3:8 ESV)It is obvious that Paul wants the people who have believed in God to be living a life that is full of good deeds. Paul wants them to be careful in this endeavor for good and not lazy and carefree. So what are the things that Paul wants Titus to insist on? Paul wants Titus to insist to his people that the good works that they have done have nothing to do with being saved. What! “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 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, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.(Titus 3:4-7 ESV)This is incredible to me. “Titus, you want your people to be devoted to good works you better tell them that there works and efforts had nothing to do with them becoming Christian” This seems so counter-intuitive to being able to produce good works, but this is the reality of grace. Understanding what God has done produces within us a hatred of sin and a love of Jesus. Jesus says in Jn 14, If you love me you will keep my commandments. This is what Paul is counting on as he writes to Titus. Titus insist on the saving power of God in Christ alone and people will be devoted to good works because they will love Jesus. In fact if you back the passage up even more Paul reminds the people of who they used to be before God saved them “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.(Titus 3:3 ESV)This is what I need this morning. I need to be reminded that I bring nothing to the table but depravity. Paul tells Titus to insist that people are sinners and that God saves sinners! Only in understanding,living in, and resting in the work of Jesus will we truly be obedient in devotion to good works.