Titus 3:8. “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that they affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” KEEP IT UP. Not for salvation, but because of it. Not for praise, but in spite of it. Not for selfish gain, but for giving. Not for advertising but for showing. Not because it is demanded, but for love. Not for self-honor but for His. Not just to be seen by men, but for God. Not for me, but the Lord.
Unusual but not funny-peculiar. Unusual because it’s irregular. Understood by God but not men. Unsung on earth, not in heaven. Unreal to those who just take. Unappreciated by those on the make. Unlike those who live only for profit. Unrecognized except by those who need it.
Good works are, to some people, odd. Good works are similar to God. Good works lift up those who are down. Good works far too seldom are found. Good works will by men be forgotten. Good works will, by God, be applauded. Good works will not bring you shame. Good works will honor God’s name.
So, maintain what you do for others. Maintain good works and share with your brothers. So, maintain things that lighten their load. Maintain them in the name of your God. So, maintain that truth lived may be seen. Maintain things that are profitable to men. So, maintain works to help people know God. Good works - show Jesus is Lord.
“Heavenly Father: I need to be committed to good works because of the needs all around me. Others do not have the joy or contentment I have, and sometimes I wonder why. Many have so much. But I know that even though many have much, a thoughtful gesture in an appropriate way, at an opportune time, can open hard hearts. I learned that when Bruce needed God. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
A heretic is another one of those self-opinionated persons who go beyond false teaching to seriously push their opinions to get a following. He likes to argue but goes beyond holding false teaching and is determined that others follow his line of teaching. This person is more concerned about his self-interest and getting people to follow him than he is about false teaching. The main problem here is with the person himself, more than what he says. This self-opinionated person is to be admonished by drawing attention to what he is saying and why, and also the effect it is having on the assembly.
His mind is to be put on the fact that what he is doing and saying is sin because he is causing strife and division among the saints. An admonition is putting into words that which is wrong and by affirming that which is right with words. Opportunity is given to change, but if that doesn't happen, then a second admonition is given. If that does not effect change in the heretic, he is to be avoided by all of the saints, and restrained from representing the assembly publicly. Hopefully, the seriousness of his actions will be brought home to him, and he will change his behavior and opinions.
For some reason, the person who refuses the admonition has become twisted in his thinking and apparently thinks his way of thinking is right and everyone else's is wrong. Satan takes advantage of sincere people sometimes when they get their teaching from the books men write or programs they hear on television and radio, rather than from the Bible. He condemns himself when he continually sins by his hard-heartedness and refusing to listen to those who want to help him by correction. His unwillingness to correct his behavior and willfulness condemns him.
In concluding the letter, Paul writes of personal matters, directions for Titus, and instructions in relation to fellow laborers. It is a good thing for fellow-workers to communicate with others involved in the work of the Lord. Those things in which one is engaged have an effect on the work of others in the future. One person does not do everything, so what he does now has an effect on the future work of many. Coordination of those laboring among assemblies helps keep order and avoids conflicting situations. Some men are best equipped to follow up the work by their teaching in the assemblies of God's people. Others are pioneers by nature, desire, and practice. All are needed, and all are equally valuable in the work of the Lord. Some brothers will be obscure as far as being well-known among the people of assemblies of Christians gathered to the Lord's name alone. But in a day to come, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will give recognition to their invaluable work that most today will never know about.
It is good when we can, and do, recognize the work of a quiet laborer with the dignity and honor he deserves. Tychicus was affectionately called a "beloved brother" by Paul, who also called him a "faithful minister," one devoted to the work and workers as a "fellow-servant" in fellowship with Paul. He was obviously one who could be trusted to do what was needed and right. Every servant of the Lord is different, whether they are known best by their occupation, as was Zenas the lawyer, or by their preaching ability, as Apollos the eloquent speaker. We each have been gifted by God in ways most suited for us to accomplish the work God gives us. There are times when one of the Lord's servants is able to assist others, both financially and by encouraging them in their work. To build a person up has far more lasting value than being critical and tearing down a fellow-believer's credibility.
"Ours," "maintaining good works" has to do with instructions concerning the Cretan believers, but also those from that day until today. There are urgent necessities that need our help both here and in many other places. Practical Christianity needs to be cultivated, and we need to look for places to be productive and useful in the furtherance of the work of the Lord and blessing the people with good works. There is a warmth of fellowship transmitted even by the written words of a letter that means a lot to those who read them. It is possible to transmit affection and grace by the way we use words.
A fond, affectionate love between those in "the faith" has a long-lasting effect and should be made clear so that those who read those words will remain faithful. The last letters of a person to us are a valuable possession and can be of great value to those who follow us. The pastoral epistles to Timothy and Titus cover a lot of subjects in an affectionate, practical way. These are not heavy theological doctrinal theses, but are from one warm-hearted older brother to two warm-hearted younger brothers who have a responsibility to carry on the work of the Lord. These three epistles are a practical working model for those who lead the people of God. How they are to conduct themselves, how they are to train and teach others for leadership, and how they are to deal with and solve problems among the Lord's people are taught in these letters of instruction.
The guidelines of church practice, personal behavior, and rising to challenges that come are taught here by stating principles that work because they come from God Himself through His servant Paul. Paul practiced what he learned from the Lord. He passed them on to others, who in turn passed them on. Now they have come to us. What we have learned from others and by experience ourselves, we are to pass on to people of the next generation. It is true that we all have the Bible and can get the truth of God ourselves from it. But the model and experience of mature believers make theoretical truth become real and personal when seen in the lives of those who go before us. It is important for us to personally study and practice the principles found in these pastoral epistles.