Maintain These Good Works (Titus 2:11-3:15)

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, ZEALOUS FOR GOOD WORKS. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you."


"Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, SHOWING all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward men appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, striving about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned."


"When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. And let our people also learn to MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen."


We affirm by confession to maintain the good works which were accomplished by God our Savior, according to His mercy; according to the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He pours out abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; according to justification by His grace for the hope of eternal life. We accord ourselves with His accomplishment, through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Bringing to Age of Laborers (Philemon)

Paul writes a letter to Philemon, Apphia and Archippus. He thanks his God, making mention of these always in his prayers, having heard of their love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints.

Praying, Paul says, "that the sharing of your faith may BECOME effective by the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of every good thing which is in you (us) in Christ Jesus." (v.6)

Paul commends these for what they have already have done by what they understand, helping those of the church which is in their house. Refraining from the boldness of commanding, Paul appeals to them to receive one, Onesimus, whom he has begotten in his chains. He sends him back qualifying that he would bring to them "my own heart". Onesimus had been a slave, but now a beloved brother of Paul's and would be to them "in the Lord".

Paul informs that they should receive Onesimus as they would him. He concludes the letter with "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."

(aged- brought to maturity or mellowness (1 of 6 in WCD))

I would say that Paul was getting ready to build upon their "love and faith" by witnessing to them what it means to be brought to maturity in Christ Jesus; to have, in their spirit, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Onesimus, who had been unprofitable to them became profitable to Paul regarding this witness. If they would receive him, they would recognize this grace which had made Onesimus a beloved brother to Paul.

Speaking Evil of the Way Leaves You Behind

"And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples, he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' So they said to him, 'We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said to them, 'Into what then were you baptized?' So they said, 'Into John's baptism.' Then Paul said, 'John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they SHOULD BELIEVE on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.' When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.

"And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three 

months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the 

kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and did not

believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." (Acts 19:1-10)

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, BELIEVE ALSO IN ME. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' " (John 14:1-6)

"See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom (also, 
by which) the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 
(Galatians 6:11-14)

“And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God." (Galatians 6:16) The baptism of repentance turns you to Him. The baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus brings the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in Him, so you may boast in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Walk accordingly and you will have peace and recognize His mercy.

Understanding the Mystery of Christ: According Yourself with God's Purpose

"To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, ACCORDING TO the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence THROUGH faith in Him. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory." (Ephesians 3:8-13)

As you know, the second word in the paragraph, me, is Paul. He revealed the mystery through his testimony: clearly portraying among the churches Jesus Christ crucified. Paul desires that the church testify in the same way: according oneself through faith in Christ.

according to- consistent with( WCD)

through- from the first to the final stage of; from beginning to end; to completion( WCD)

Paul refers to himself as "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God"; not just IN God's will but BY God's will, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord! Prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are readied BY His will. These offices of ministry are for "the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all (according to and through) come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, MAY GROW UP IN ALL THINGS INTO HIM who is the head - Christ- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:12-16)

His Seed Remains

 "Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed REMAINS in him; and He cannot sin, because he has been born of God." (1 John 3:6-9)

"Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Mark 4:3-9)

Those in whom the seed remains had the opportunity to stand with those by the wayside, wondering and considering; they had the opportunity to wither when tribulation or persecution arose for the word's sake; they had the opportunity to be choked by worldly concerns and desires. Rather, in these, His seed was reinforced by the "breath of the Almighty (that) gives him understanding" (Job 32:8). They are birthed and made of God!

Wayside, stony, thorny ground are hearts that still receive the seed of destructive doctrines of Satan and men. Those doctrines work to deter/remove His seed from the heart of man.

Wisdom: How to Proceed in Faith

"James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes that are scattered abroad:

Greetings. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, WHO GIVES TO ALL LIBERALLY AND WITHOUT REPROACH, and it will be given to him. But let him ask IN FAITH, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For LET NOT THAT MAN SUPPOSE THAT HE WILL RECEIVE ANYTHING from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:1-8)

Liberally and without reproach or nothing more. What makes the difference in what we receive in order to proceed? Asking in faith, single-mindedly!

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good TESTIMONY." (Hebrews 11:1,2)

" 'Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.' And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, 'Write: '''Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!''' ' And he said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God.' And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'See that 

you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren 
WHO HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS.' " 
(Revelation 19:7-10)

Let These Pray and Sing

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let HIM pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let HIM sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let THEM pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will lift him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:13-16)

Notice that James did not direct those who were suffering or cheerful to call for the elders of the church. They were/are the elders of the church.

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 4:12,13)

"Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit." (James 5:17,18)

Elijah had to understand that his prayer would cause great difficulty for those of that land. They would suffer from the drought. Those circumstances also would give those the opportunity to turn to God. The prayer of Elijah gave those the opportunity to repent toward and trust God, THEN heaven gave rain, and the earth produced fruit.