DEVOTION – DAY 144

Titus 2:11-12 “Good Works For God”

 

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled upright and godly lives in this present age.”

 

Christians sometimes ask why God did not take them to be with them when they convert? Why does God let Christians remain on earth to suffer? We can find some answers in these verses that the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to his friend, Titus. In vv.11-12, Paul reminded everyone that Christians are saved by the grace of God. We did not do anything worthy to earn our salvation. Instead, God sent His Only Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on the cross to atone for the sins of mankind. God raised Jesus up on the 3rd day to show that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was accepted by Him. There is now no judgment, only forgiveness for everyone, if they call upon Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This is the grace of God. After we have converted, God wants us to remain in the world to lead holy and godly lives, so that Christians will be different from the rest of the world. God expects Christians to live self-controlled godly lives and turn their backs on their old sinful worldly ways. By doing so, Christians will be an example for the rest of the world to be drawn to God’s saving grace through the Lord Jesus. God saved us and wants us to do good works for Him.

We find the truth of these verses in the life of Ni Tuosheng (Watchman Nee). He was born in 1903 in China. He personally believed in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior in 1920. It was then, alone in his room that he realized the magnitude of his sins and his own need for his Savior. Ni Tuosheng had some bad, lazy habits and lacked discipline. But soon after his conversion, he made efforts to be more disciplined and he decided to become a full-time worker for the Lord. He wrote down the names of 70 classmates. He began praying regularly for their conversion. He would often share the gospel with these 70 classmates and after several months, 69 of his classmates had become Christians. This was just the start of his many good works for the Lord. In 1924, he started his first church in Sitiawan, Malaysia when visiting his mother who had moved there. In 1926, he started a church in Shanghai. From then, on, Ni Tuosheng started many churches throughout China, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. He also wrote Christian books and gave talks. By 1948, the church he started in Shanghai had grown to more than 1000 members. In 1952, he was imprisoned by local officials as the clampdown on churches began. He remained in prison until his death in 1972. He never regretted what he did for the Lord and he remained faithful up till his death. He had spent his life doing good works for the Lord.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for saving us by your grace. Thank you for the privilege of calling us to do good works as an example to draw others to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus. Please help us to joyfully do good works that you have planned for us for your glory. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

 

Discuss:

  1. Why do many Christians choose to leave “good works” to others or full-time church workers? Discuss.
  2. What are some good works you can do now for the Lord to point people to the Lord Jesus? Share.
  3. By doing the good works as discussed in question 2, how does it help you to grow in the Lord? Discuss.
  4. What changes will you make to your lifestyle so that it is self-controlled, upright and godly?