But after that the kindness and love
of God our Savior toward men appeared,
not by works of righteousness which we
have done, but according to His mercy
He saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost; which He shed on us
abundantly through Jesus Christ
our Savior; that justified by His grace,
we should be made heirs according
to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:4-7
Paul always teaches the Gospel without adding anything to it, not straying into futile arguments, or doctrines of man. There are many preachers, Churches that teach a doctrine of works, that is, by doing this or that you will receive blessings, or that you will be demonstrating Jesus when in fact it is a work that people feel that God will be forced to bless them, so they work. This work is to achieve salvation, and this is far from the truth: "For be grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not or works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10). Paul wrote to Titus the same as he did to the Ephesian Church. James wrote: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works" (James 2:17-18). What works is being spoken of that an Authentic Christian should walk in? James go on to write: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.But be ye doers of the word, and not a doer....Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspoted from the world" (James 1:21-11;27).
If a person is attempting to do what he thinks is a calling of God but is only their desire to work for God, they probably are not called, in fact we do not work for God, we work with Him and the calling may not always come in a loud voice, in fact it more often than not comes quietly. While we may be called to a specific ministry, we are all called to witness of God and this witness begins with you, your home, living a righteous life according to Scripture. Paul writes to Titus: "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. these thing are good and profitable unto men" (Titus 3:8-9).
Question: Are you taking time to visit other brothers and sisters? Especially those who are sick, ailing, having problems? Are you coming to Church as though you have had your Church ticket punched, or, are you coming to Church to worship with other brothers and sisters? Are you caring for the Church? Are you examining the goings on in the Church? Are taking action according to Scripture? To many Churches today seem more zealous to fill the pews than to fill the hearts and minds of people to follow the commandments of God. Paul continues how Authentic Christians should work out their faith and to keep the congregation pure: "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition (Matthew 18:15-17) reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself" (Titus 3:9-11).
As we work to keep the congregation clean, pure, we also look to those who govern us secularly, to ensure that they are governing justly, for God is Just and demands that we live justly, and by this are a light for the world to live justly. All we do is according to Scripture and if we live that way, Authentic Christians, we will have a positive affect upon others, brothers and sisters, and the world around us. We have much to do, but we have the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us, what do we have to fear? Nothing!
O GOD the Lord, the strength
of my salvation, thou hast
covered my head in the day
of battle.
Psalm 140:7
Faith, a gift of God, works come by faith
Richard L. Crumb
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