Zealous for Good Works

Taken from a WayForward training in 2024.

Paul writes the short book of Titus describing what sort of people Christian leaders should be, how all believers should live in relation to one another, and how believers should interact with nonbelievers. In this short 3 chapter letter, Paul gives a masterclass in Christian behavior and how we should as everyday Christ follower.

Proper Christian behavior, according to Paul, is highlighted in Titus 2:11-14 more specifically. It’s based on the fact that:

“the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions,

In other words, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection was all God’s grace, making salvation possible for us. This grace should also lead us to train ourselves in renouncing anything ungodly in our lives. Therefore, those who believe in Christ should:

“live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Believers are also to be self-controlled, upright, and godly in our conduct and behavior. Paul highlights Christians are a waiting people. We wait for the Lord Jesus’ return because that is when he will appear in full glory and greatness. Why wait patiently, because Jesus:

“gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works”

This beautiful passage ends with highlighting the redemption Jesus secures and the outcome of his work. Jesus will receive for himself a purified people for his own possession. And His people should be zealous for good works. That’s why Paul later states two time in Titus 3 that we should be careful to learn how to “devote ourselves to good works” (v. 8 & 14). The Lord’s redeemed people are His treasured people who should be a zealous people. -makers of Jesus in local community and be a disciple-making culture.