Titus 1:14-16, 2:11-14, & 3:5-9, & 14: The Message of Both Grace and Works in a Nutshell

 

Titus 1:14-16, 2:11-14, & 3:5-9, & 14: The Message of Both Grace and Works in a Nutshell 

Reading Titus can seem contradictory. In fact, Paul often seems to go against his own teachings and appears to go back and forth saying we need no works to be saved and then, yes, we do. 

However, reading Titus quite a few years ago suddenly clicked for me.  Paul is not contradicting himself - we must read each verse in its entire context! God does save us by His grace simply out of His love for us.  We do not have to earn His love with works.  But it does not end there.  Once saved, we must "maintain good works" to remain saved.  Works produce good fruit and righteous living.  

God will never cease loving us, be we cannot live unholy lives if we want to spend eternity with a Holy God! That is the message of both grace and works in a nutshell!  

(Titus 1:14-16) Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

(2:11-14) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

(3:5-9& 14) 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 Saviour; That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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 things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.