The value of good works.

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<p>Even though good works don’t save us or make us right with God, they are necessary as proof of our right standing with God before the world. This is the reason there should always be a clear distinction in character between a person who claims to be a Christian and an unbeliever. If our characters are not different from the world, then we are not representing Christ properly.</p>

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<p>Imagine an ambassador of a country getting caught in a string of debauchery, fraud, dishonesty, immorality, etc. Would you want to do business with such a person? Would you trust what that person says? I guess not! Why? Because such a person has brought dishonour to the office which he occupies. This is what happens when we don’t live up to our higher calling in Christ.</p>

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<p>How do we do this? The Bible says it is by embracing the Grace of God. Titus 2:11 says Grace is a person that teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. What is ungodliness? When we don’t act like God would not act! What is worldly lust? An intense desire to behave like the world. It is Grace that helps us to deny these things. How does Grace do this? By teaching us how to depend on Christ in all things. How do we depend on Christ? Vs 13-14 give us some answers:</p>

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<li>Live with the constant expectation of the sudden return of the Lord Jesus</li>

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<li>Remember that you have been redeemed from all sin. Sin is no longer a barrier between you and God, and its power over you is broken. You always have the power to choose the right way.</li>

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<li>Know and remember that the Holy Spirit in you has purified you (you are holy and blameless before God). Make this truth a heart reality by affirming it to yourself all the time so that your heart can lead you to act like a purified or holy person that you are in Christ.</li>

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<li>Know that you are a peculiar person unto God. The word peculiar is a compound Greek word <em>periousios</em> and it means “around” as a circle and it is also the verb “to be”. This means that you are encircled by God the same way a dot is encircled constantly by a circle. God has brought us to Himself by grace through faith and encircles us with His love. Remind yourself of this truth daily. You are constantly the focus of God’s love.</li>

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<li>Be zealous to do beautiful deeds. Commit to do that by cooperating with God since you know and are constant aware of what He has done for you in Christ. Your good works don’t ever save you or make God love you more but it is your love response as one who has been resurrected into a new life.</li>

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<p>”For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.“<br>‭‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬</p>

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<p>Our good works are testimonies that speak of our identity in Christ to others. They are tools that bring others into the kingdom. The world does not care who we claim to be until they see who we act as. Read Titus 3:4-8 to see that unless you are grounded and have embraced the truth about your new creation realities, it is impossible to do good works that are untainted by religion.</p>

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<p>”But after that, the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."<br>‭‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV</p>

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