Devoted to Doing Good
Three Reasons for Good Works
Aaron Lee | Titus 3:8 | FCBCW Children’s Worship | July 26, 2026
Why do Christians do good works? One of the biggest lies Satan has deceived the world with is that we can earn our salvation – meaning that we try to do good things so that God will love us and let us into heaven. Many people who call themselves Christians can misunderstand this, and even adults get it mixed up from time to time.
In Titus 3:8, Paul speaks again of a trustworthy truth related to salvation, but he connects this truth to the transformed life it produces. Those who believe in God are to devote themselves to good works, which are excellent and profitable for people. I would identify this with Christian stewardship. Christian stewardship is not only about managing material resources; it is about faithfully managing everything God has entrusted to us—including the gospel, our time, our abilities, and our opportunities—to bless others and glorify Him.
Paul says that we should insist on certain truths so we can be moved to devote ourselves to good works. Let’s look at the passage together:
The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:8)
1. Slaves to Sin
The first truth that Paul wants us to insist on is that we were slaves to sin:
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. (Titus 3:3)
Before Christ, we were not neutral. We were enslaved. Our passions controlled us, our desires directed us, and our lives were spent serving ourselves. We can’t do good deeds, we can’t live lives that please God, apart from Christ. But Christ freed us from slavery to sin—not so that we could become our own masters, but so that we could gladly become servants of God.
Application: Remember who you were before Christ – a sinner. This should make us humble as we look out into the world. It should cause us to pray for those who do not yet know Jesus.
2. Saved by Grace
The second truth that Paul wants us to insist on is that we were saved by grace:
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, (Titus 3:4-6)
God did not save us because we were good people. God didn’t save us because we did good things. God saved us because of his mercy and grace. We didn’t deserve to be saved, but God shows us mercy and grace. When we think about God’s grace, we see that everything we have, everything we are, and everything we are able to do is a free gift. Good works are not the root of salvation; they are the fruit of salvation. We are enabled to live and worship and serve him with a heart that is grateful for his grace.
Application: Rejoice in what God has done. We should never think that we can somehow earn more of God’s favor. He has already given us everything, fully saved us in Christ. This should change our hearts and lives to forgive others when they sin against us because of how God has been gracious to us.
3. Sons of God
The third truth that Paul wants us to insist on is that we are now sons of God:
so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7)
To be an heir means that you have an inheritance. Because we have been justified by grace, we have become heirs of eternal life. We are no longer outsiders but members of God’s family. We have every privilege that comes with being God’s children. Having been adopted into God's family, we are moved to do good works because we now share the desires of our heavenly Father.
Application: Rest in who you have become in Christ. Because you belong to God's family, worship Him with joy and confidence with God’s people. Don’t put your hope in this world, but look toward what God has given us in Heaven.
Big Idea
Christians devote ourselves to good works—not to earn God's favor, but because He has graciously saved us from our sins and made us His children.
Conclusion
That leads us back to our main text again:
The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:8)
Paul’s command to devote ourselves to good works is not a demand to earn God’s favor. It is the response of people who remember what they were, rejoice in what God has done, and rest in who they have become in Christ.
Christian stewardship is not only about managing material resources; it is about faithfully managing everything God has entrusted to us—including the gospel, our time, our abilities, and our opportunities—to bless others and glorify Him out of gratitude for His grace.
Reflection and Discussion
What does Christian stewardship mean beyond simply managing money or possessions?
Which truth motivates you most to do good works: remembering your former life in sin, receiving God’s grace, or being adopted as God’s child?
What gifts, abilities, opportunities, or relationships has God entrusted to you?
How can you encourage others to use what God has given for His glory?