CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
Titus 3:8. Affirm constantly.—R.V. “confidently.” Not like a man who is only half convinced of the truth of what he states, nor like a man who is ashamed of what he says, though he may acknowledge its truthfulness. Might be careful to maintain good works.—To be interested to the point of anxiety in the maintenance of noble works.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Titus 3:8
Good Works—
I. Are in harmony with the genius of the gospel.—“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly.” The gratuitousness of God’s gift of salvation, the great theme of gospel revelation, is an ever-present and powerful motive to practical benevolence. The vain and unprofitable questions reprobated by the apostle do not incite to good works, but are a serious hindrance. The gospel is the only system that helps us to be good and do good. In some of the American lakes the boats are strangely hindered in their progress. They are drawn downwards, and the use of the oar is difficult, because of the magnetic power of deep mud concealed below the surface of the waters. So it is in the lives of men and the life of the world. Good works are vessels that cannot advance without difficulty over the waves of life, because of evil which, as mud, has slowly gathered. There must be purgation: new proclaimings and enforcing of the gospel must become as the powerful, cleansing flow of a great stream.
II. Must spring from an active faith.—“That they which have believed in God.” Faith enables us to see that God is good, approves of good, and will bless only what is good. We learn to credit all that God says as being true and faithful, and we become anxious and diligent to do what will please Him. We believe also that He will certainly punish every dereliction of duty. Faith is a power ever working in the direction of good.
III. Must be consistently and steadily maintained.—“Be careful to maintain good works.” “Good works,” says Luther, “do not make a Christian; but one must be a Christian to do good works. The tree bringeth forth the fruit, not the fruit the tree. None is made a Christian by works, but by Christ; and being in Christ, he brings forth fruit for Him.” Do all the good you can (1 Timothy 6:17-19), in all the ways you can (1 Corinthians 15:58), to all the people you can (Matthew 5:44-45), at all the times you can (Proverbs 3:27-28), as long as you can (Ecclesiastes 9:10); do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
IV. Are beneficial to ourselves and to others.—“These things are good [to ourselves] and profitable unto men [to others].” A good deed has a reflex influence. Like mercy, it is twice blessed; it blesses him who gives and him who takes. It adds to the volume of the beneficent force that is working out the regeneration of the world. We cannot bless others without being blessed ourselves.
Lessons.—The gospel is the ministrant of universal good.
2. To do good we must first be good.
3. Good works have no merit, but no one is a Christian without, them.