Sunday Leftovers — the believer and good works

There are five succinct statements that identify the essential doctrinal issues that were bolstered by the Reformation:

• sola Scriptura — the Scripture alone is sufficient to produce salvation
• sola gratia — salvation is by grace alone
• sola fide — salvation is through faith alone
• sola Christus — salvation is by Christ alone
• soli deo gloria — salvation, and all things, are for the glory of God alone

These truths emphasize that salvation is the work of God and not man.  As Paul says to Titus, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy…” (Titus 3:5).  There is nothing anyone can ever do that will ever make him right in the eyes of God.

So we are not saved by works, but we are saved to works.  Salvation by faith alone through grace alone produces a salvation that produces good works (Eph. 2:10; cf. also Titus 2:10; 3:1, 8, 14).  We are not saved by good or righteous deeds, but we are saved so that we can do righteousness.  The truth of God in salvation will transform the life of the believer so that he is no longer a typical Cretan (Titus 1:12-16), but a gracious man or woman serving others with good deeds and activities.

Understand this:  doing good deeds is integral to the life of the believer.  They don’t save, but they will always be present in the life of one who has been regenerated and renewed by the Spirit of God (Titus 3:5).

• The purpose of Christ’s death was to create people who not only do good works, but are passionate about good works (Tt. 2:14).
• Doing good deeds as a believer is indicative of our life with Christ (Mk. 14:6)
• Doing good deeds is a testimony to unbelievers (Mt. 5:16; 1 Pt. 2:12)
• Doing good deeds is fruitful in the life of the believer (Tt. 3:14)
• Believers are responsible to encourage one another to do good deeds (Tt. 2:7; Heb. 10:24).

The source of a believer’s salvation is the righteousness of Christ.  The reputation of the believer is founded on his good deeds, which are only possible because of the life of Christ.  The Cretans were known for being rebellious, lawless, and self-indulgent.  Believers should be known for their good deeds.