In Paul’s epistles, he has 5 faithful sayings that he wants Christians to remember. A faithful saying is a saying that is true and trustworthy. Because the saying is true and important, Paul desires that it be accepted everywhere and repeated constantly! We have now come to the last faithful saying of Paul, where he affirms that those who believe in God ought to be careful to maintain good works.
1. The Piety in Good Works
In addressing the importance of doing good works, Paul directs this exhortation to “they which have believed in God” (Titus 3:8). As Christians, we understand that we had been saved from sin by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). No amount of good works could have atoned for our outstanding debt of sins, but only through obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ, we could have our sins washed away! However, Paul continues to exhort that we are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” The purpose of our very existence is to do good works for our Lord Jesus, and God has ordained that Christians should walk in good works (Ephesians 2:10).
Therefore, it is truly a faithful saying that those who profess to have faith in Jesus ought to do good works. Can a Christian say he has faith but does not do any good works? James professes that a faith that is without works is a dead faith! (James 2:14-26). May we continually exercise our faith in Jesus through our life of service and of good works.
2. The Persistence in Good Works
Paul affirms that Christians ought to “be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 3:8). To be careful means to be extra mindful or thoughtful about it. In other words, Christians ought to be always thinking about doing good works. After all, it is so easy to be distracted with the affairs of this life that we neglect to help a brother in need, or to be involved in works of charity. Perhaps some have once been involved in good works, but have grown weary and given up. However, Christians ought to persist because we have this assurance that God does not forget the good works that we do in ministering to the needs of others (Hebrews 6:10).
Therefore, it is truly a faithful saying that Christians ought to be careful to maintain good works. As Paul also exhorts, let us “not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9). Do not give up in performing good works, because there’s a great reward waiting for us! Therefore, may we always look out for every opportunity to help others, especially those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).
3. The Profit in Good Works
Paul affirms that for Christians to maintain good works, this is something that is “good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:8). When Christians are active in good works, it supplies to the needs of the saints, it leads to abundant thanksgivings to God, and it leads to the glory of God! (2 Corinthians 9:12). As Jesus Himself affirmed, when Christians are active in good works, we are letting our light shine before men, and it leads to the glory of the Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Therefore, it is truly a faithful saying that it is of great profit when Christians are active in good works. When we stand before our Lord Jesus at the Judgment, we are going to have to give an answer for the good works that we have done (2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:31-46). Have we given food to the hungry? Have we shown hospitality to the stranger? Have we given clothing to the naked? Have we visited the sick and those in prison? If have done so, we look forward to the words of Jesus:
“Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”