And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:14)

Good Advice For People Of God

One of the qualities of those who follow Christ is the manner of life they share with the world, and the example they set in dealing with others. Jesus told His disciples to be lights in the world and to be the salt of the earth, seasoning their influence among others with the glory of God. No greater example of godliness can be found than those who love the Lord, showing their love for others. Paul admonishes Titus to help the Christians on the island of Crete to be full of good works, showing the love of Christ in their lives in serving others. The people of Crete had a reputation for being liars, evil, and lazy gluttons. They had an unrestrained indulgence of wild and ferocious passions. In the midst of such a world, the gospel of Christ needed to be presented with a clear and demonstrative light.

There was a concern that the influence of Crete could impact the faith of the Christians. The character of the Cretans could easily sway the hearts of the people of God to become like them. Paul wants Titus to teach the saints the need to be people full of good works. When the hand is busy with good works, the heart becomes a harder target for being slothful. Busy hands should characterize the lives of God’s people. There should be a conscious effort to fill each day with the work of the Lord, helping others, encouraging them, and engaging in good works in the world, so that the light of God can be seen in them. The people of God should be known as people of good works.

There were many needs to be met. Jesus taught the importance of serving others. When an urgent need arises, the people of God should be the examples of individual hearts extending the welcome relief of benevolence to those in need. The parable of the Samaritan helping a stranger emphasizes the importance of the people of God demonstrating their faith through their actions without prejudice. Learning to maintain good works and meet the needs of others helps the Christian grow in their faith so they will not be unfruitful. God does not want lazy, slothful children. When a person accepts life as a follower of Christ, they become a worker in the Lord’s vineyard. The purpose of working in the vineyard is to work. People of God are workers. They demonstrate this by engaging in good works and meeting urgent needs.

Paul emphasizes the importance of the brotherhood when he tells Titus to remind “our people” to care for one another. The family of God is bound by the love and fellowship shared through the blood of Christ. God’s family is a special group of people dedicated to good works. No greater light can be shone than when God’s people shine the light of love for others in a dark world. It is not the common goal of people in the world to be kind to others. Children of God practice good works, meeting urgent needs, because they know the debt they have in being called children of the Most High God is something that can never be repaid. Paul’s good advice is for God’s people to be full of good works, and when there is an urgent need, to fill that need.