Zealous for Good Deeds

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-14 

Did you get that? The grace of God brings salvation to all men. Salvation is NOT through good works, good deeds. It’s nice to do good things for other people, but God isn’t going to give you a place—a home in heaven—because you were nice to someone. The good deeds should come in gratitude to God for His grace in our lives. This salvation concept is reinforced in scripture taught by Paul in Titus 3:5-7…He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  

Training Tip – Tell your family that it is nice to do good deeds—to show even random acts of kindness to people, but that we should do it because we love God…and want to show His love to others, not because our good deeds will get us into heaven. Now go find a good deed to do. Help a neighbor or pick up litter on your street or neighborhood. Do your good deed with enthusiasm—with zeal because you love the Lord. 

Lord God, thank you for loving us so that we can love others, enthusiastically, just like Jesus.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.