WHY WE ARE SO DIFFERENT: A PEOPLE EAGER TO DO GOOD WORKS

05/18/2023

"He [Jesus] gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works." (Titus 2:14 CSB)

The rest of the world, and by this, I mean those who are not born again, operate by a principle of lawlessness. The Bible describes these ones as "having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" (Ephesians 4:18). The natural habitat of the man without Christ is lawlessness. Sin is native to his being, and so he sins. 

The believer in Christ, on the other hand, is born again with a desire to do good works. And this is another reason why we are so different. The Bible defines good works as the works of the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38 says, "[How] God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." 

When God gave birth to you, He put good desires in you. Excellent thoughts by which you would be able to leave the world better than you met it. The Bible says that "it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). It isn't that you became altruistic, no. The moment you got born again, God deposited within you the answers to the cries and questions of many and then, fueled a desire in you to release those desires in the form of innovations, products, and services. This is why we are so different. We have a mind that is designed to make life better for others. 

Most of the innovations in America that may have now been coopted or corrupted by greed and profiteering were borne out of this capacity for good works. I am reminded of Henry Parsons Crowell, the founder of the Quaker Oats Company, and how he influenced the country's breakfast preferences for an entire generation. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

Understand that we are a people cleansed. Cleansed from wicked works of darkness. 1 Corinthians 6:11 says, "...you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." To what end? Someone might ask. To the end that you would bring Him glory by the feats you accomplish in this life, and that by the magnitude of those accomplishments, non-believers in Jesus Christ will be drawn to the faith. 

This is why you cannot afford to be a mental hobo. Your life must count for something that showcases the Master's glory. 

Have a beautiful day!

Faith-Filled Confession

I am desirous of good works because I was born that way. I do not have the spirit of fear but of love, power, and an excellent mind. Therefore, the outcomes of my life are so outstanding that men are drawn to the light of God that I am so that in my light, they will find the true light that lights every person that comes into this world. Glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

One-Year Reading Plan:  2 Kings 18-19; John 6:22-44