The little book of Titus has a wealth of teaching. Paul is writing to his "true child in the faith, Titus," whom he had left in Crete "so that he might put what remained into order and appoint elders in every town...," choosing them carefully as to their true knowledge of God and their good works which demonstrate their love of God.
Upon studying through Titus the phrase "='good work or works' kept appearing. Titus is instructed by Paul not only to be about his work choosing Elders who are showing good works, but also he is instructed to teach sound doctrine to older men, older women, younger women through the older, young men and slaves. And in Chapter 2:7 Paul tells Titus, "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works." Paul continues in verses 11-14 telling Titus that "the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation for all people," training us to live godly lives as we await Christ's second coming, because His work on Calvary redeemed us from all lawlessness and purified us as His people, "His own possession who are zealous for good works." In Chapter 3:1 Titus is to "remind them.....to be ready for every good work."
In verse 5 of Chapter 3 Paul is quick to remind Titus, "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior." The good works stressed in Titus DO NOT save us, but are evidence of the good work of Christ in us.
Paul continues his theme of good works in Chapter 3:8, when he instructs Titus to insist on these things (salvation by grace in Christ alone) so that believers in God may be careful "to devote themselves to good works." Paul tells Titus that good works are excellent and profitable for people. That is followed by a list of things not to do that would be condemning for the people. Finally, in verse 14, Paul continues to instruct Titus to "let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need and not be unfruitful."
Micah 6:8 points out that God has already told us what good works we are to do. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." And, greatest of all, we have Jesus' own example of the good works as He went about healing people, raising the dead, feeding people, and telling them the good news of the Kingdom of God. We can't do all Jesus did, but we can feed people and give them a drink, clothe people, visit the sick and widows, take care of orphans, visit those in prison, and welcome strangers. Jesus says that when we do that for the least of His brothers we have done it for Him. If we do good works in Holy Spirit power they will have eternal glory, benefit others, and bring glory to our Lord Jesus Christ, which, as Christians, is our chief end.
