Zealous for Good Works (Titus 2:11-3:8,14)
Intro
Why have we been redeemed? Many reasons, but today we consider Titus 2:14, 'He 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.'
But what role and place do works have in our salvation?
1. They are not FOR our salvation, but they're FROM our salvation.
See 2:14, 3:5.
Compare Eph 2:8-10, Heb 10:22-24
2. They glorify God
Negatively, 'that the word of God may not be blasphemed' (2:5).
Positively, that he may have 'for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works' (2:14)
See 1Pe 2:12, Jn 15:8, Mt 5:44-45.
3. They adorn the gospel
Or NIV, 'so that in every way, they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive' (2:10).
See 1Pe 3:1-2, Titus 2:5-7, 1:16, 1Pe 2:15.
Conclusion
We are redeemed to love God and love my neighbor as myself, or in Greek, philanthropy. We're not saved by that. We're saved for that. And we are His workmanship, purified by Him.
'I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing' (Jn 15:5). |
