Patriots (3)

Good citizens – patriots, biblical patriots - Work for good. Titus 3:1b says, "Remind them…to be ready for every good work" (ESV).

It's true that good works won’t take anyone to heaven. We are saved by God’s grace through faith in what Jesus did for us when He died on the cross to save us. But grace sows up in our lives in the form of good works.

So, patriots are people who do good works.

ALl throughout Titus, we see this theme. "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works" (Titus 2:7, ESV). "[Jesus] gave Himself… to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14, ESV). "Those who have believed in God [should ] be careful to devote themselves to good works" (Titus 3:8, ESV). "Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful" (Titus 3:14, ESV).

One of the purposes of the cross is to create a people “zealous for good works.” Are you zealous – passionate – for good works? Do you ever sit around as a family and talk about what good works you might be able to do? Do you ask God, “What good works do you want me to do today?” Are you on fire to do good works?

"Grace" is the name of the boat that get you to heaven. One oar is named “faith.” The other oar is named “works.” It’s grace that saves. But if you just have faith and no works, it’s dead faith. James says, “Faith without works is dead.” If you have works and no faith, it’s dead religion. Both faith and works are evidence that you are saved by God’s grace.

Good citizenship shows up in good works, in volunteering, in finding some need in our culture and meeting it. Do you do good works? Are you actively volunteering in your community? Are you finding a need and meeting it?

I’m for waving the flag. I’m proud to be an American. But if you have to choose between working for good and waving the flag, work for good.

Do you work for good?