Engage in good deeds!

​“This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.”

‭‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/tit.3.8.NASB1995

“Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.”

‭‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/tit.3.14.NASB1995

I think this is the second time I have done Titus 3. The first time was on January 15th, 2019. Follow this link to see what I said back then. 

It struck me this morning that Paul said, “engage in good works” twice in this chapter. The first time he said to “be careful” and second, “learn”. So what is Paul’s point? Can good works be done carelessly?

Be careful in the Greek (phrontizō g5420) only appears once. And means to be anxious. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.6.NASB1995

Paul is commanding us to be thinking up ways to do good. We all know that it is easy to sit and ponder evil schemes or revenge but when was the last time we worried about what good deed we could do tomorrow? By doing good deeds we can learn what works and what does not. None of them will go unnoticed. 

“and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/heb.10.24.NASB1995

“Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”

‭‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/tit.3.1-2.NASB1995

Here we find good deeds ranked up among being subject to rulers and being at peace among others.

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,”

‭‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/tit.3.5-6.NASB1995

Works are not what saves us but it is God’s mercy, but they are still a requirement for believers in life.

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.6.10.NASB1995

“And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/1co.13.3.NASB1995

Good deeds is not a chore to be done but an outreach of love toward the people around us.