Titus 3:8
“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.”
Context is so vital in understanding the Scriptures. If you simply take and cut out the above verse and put it under the microscope, you might come away with the idea that our salvation is somehow gained or maintained by what we do or don’t do. However, broaden the scope of the verse to what comes before and after, and what you will find is that, “...this faithful saying...,” refers back to verse 7, “That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life.” We do not become heirs of Eternal Life by what we do, but by being justified by the Grace of God, exclusively in, through, and by the LORD Jesus Christ, and upon completion of His finished work at Calvary. This is the faithful saying that every true preacher of God affirms constantly. Jesus Christ did not come into the world to save the righteous, as there are none (Romans 3:10).
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of ALL acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save SINNERS...” (1 Timothy 1:15). Sinners, by definition, are nothing but sin in their persons and works. Therefore, they are unable to do anything, contribute anything, or plead anything, except that it brings them into condemnation (Romans 3:23). There must be the necessary work of the LORD Jesus Christ for their justification as their Substitute. He did not come to attempt to save sinners, He saved them (Matthew 1:21). He did not render them savable on condition that they do something. HE SAVED THEM by His blood applied to their Spiritual account for forgiveness, and His righteous obedience imputed to them as their righteousness, entirely accomplished once and for all in His death on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21).
It is just such a Message, when revealed in the heart of those whom the Spirit of God has regenerated, that causes them to believe God and be careful to maintain Good works. It is having been justified through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, sanctified by His blood and righteousness alone, and made alive by the Spirit of God that causes us to live, move and labor for His glory and honor in all things and the advancement of His Gospel in a lost and unGodly world. The Good works are not in order to earn our salvation, but rather are the Fruitful manifestation of that salvation that the LORD earned for His own (1 Thessalonians 1:3). The Good works they maintain give Christ ALL the glory.
Comments