The necessity for good works.

At Leng Kwang Baptist Church, Bukit Timah, Singapore, on Sun. 30Nov14.

Reading Titus chapters 2 and 3.

At the beginning of this epistle, Titus was urged not to heed Jewish fables and the commandments of men. These man-made traditions formed the bulk of rabinnical traditions until today, from lighting candles to elaborate washing rites to numerous rules about what constituted work on Sabbath. Such man-made commands and traditions are akin to various "works" observed in traditional Christian Churches today e.g. Christmas Trees, Easter eggs and bunnies, sign of the cross, veneration of the dead saints and prayers to Virgin Mary etc.

The apostle goes on to declare in Chapter 3 that the kindness and love of God has appeared to mankind. This, he writes, is achieved not by works of righteousness that we have done but instead by His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the holy Spirit. (Titus3:5).

Notwithstanding the implied futility of our "works of righteousness" in the above declaration, the apostle emphasises repeatedly throughout chapters 2 and 3 of this epistle that it is absolutely necessary for disciples of the Messiah to do good works in their lives.

There are four verses in Titus chapters 2 and 3 in particular that tell the disciples to do good works.

Firstly, disciples are to be a pattern of good works.

In 2:7, Titus was urged to show himself a pattern of good works.

Secondly, disciples are to be ready for good works.

In 3:1, the dosciples are reminded to be ready for every good work.

Thirdly, disciples are to be careful to maintain good works.

In 3:8, we are called to affirm constantly that those who have believed in God should be careful in maintaining good works in our lives. This call is reiterated in 3:14 where we are told that we should learn to maintain good works.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us do good works all the time. Our Lord Yeshua the Messiah taught us in his sermon on the mount:

Matthew 5: 16 KJV

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.