Set Free for Good Deeds

So that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds. (Titus 3:8)

Tit. 3:1-8; Matt. 5:16; I Tim. 6:18; I Pet. 2:12

What Is God Saying?

Titus was the Bishop of Crete, which was not an easy job, but he was a seasoned veteran. At Paul's request, he dealt with the problems in Corinth. Paul calls Titus, ‘My true son in our common faith.’ He had proven his faithfulness and ability to speak the truth in love. Now he has another responsibility, ‘to straighten out what was left unfinished in Crete and appoint elders in every town.’ In this letter, Paul stresses the importance of good works. False teachers claim to know God, but by their actions, they deny Him. Good deeds are as inevitable as fruit growing on a vine. Practical faith is based on and flows from salvation (Titus 3:4-8).

How Does This Apply To Us?

Do good works save us? Never. Are we saved for good works? Always. We open our prayers with gratitude to God, and we desire to serve others because we are free by His grace. Salvation gives us the liberty and motivation for the best reasons—love and gratitude. In prayer, let us thank God that we are free. Then let us lay out our plans. Let us ask God, who has set us free from sin, to set us free for service.

Pray With Me

Believing in You, O God, brings freedom from care and anxiety. Believing in You, O God, is release from bondage and fear. ‘If the Son makes you free, you will be free.’ I don't need to do a certain amount of work for a certain amount of salvation. I am free from that! Faith in your redeeming power and mercy can swing wide the gates of Heaven! I don't have to regain Paradise. It is done. It was finished, completely and forever, at Calvary.

Yet I remember that to be free indeed is not to be free from deeds. Good deeds can never be the root of salvation, but must be the fruit of salvation. I am released from the carefulness of working because I am saved. Let your mercy inspire me to rest on your promises and labor in your vineyard. I am carefree because you have been good to me. Now, help me be carefree in goodness that extends to others. Forgive me, Lord, that I have been so often willing to consider good deeds and unwilling to apply myself to good deeds. Help me apply myself carefully, not for my credit and not to my praise, but in thankfulness to Him who has rid my heart forever of every care.

In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

The best way to move on in a life of prayer is to move out into a life of service. The more we show the love of God to others, the freer we are to claim the blessings of His love for ourselves. Prayer is a channel of blessings and not a reservoir. We take in all we want. We give out all we can. The Source won't run dry. ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) Pray boldly. Serve faithfully. Live joyously.