There's something important we need to settle today because Christians sometimes get this backwards. We are not saved by good works. We are saved for good works. There is a huge difference. You and I could never do enough good things to earn our salvation. We couldn't work hard enough, give enough, serve enough, pray enough, or be good enough to make ourselves right with God. That's why Jesus came. Salvation is a gift of God's grace, not a paycheck we earn because we've worked enough hours. We don't work to get saved. We work because we are saved.

Titus tells us that God's grace has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone, and that Jesus gave Himself to rescue us from sin and make us His very own people, “totally committed to doing good deeds.” Think about that. Jesus didn't save us so that we could sit around doing nothing with the new life He gave us. He saved us so that our lives would actually become useful for His Kingdom.

Go back to our phone for a minute. Imagine you've got a brand-new phone sitting on your desk. It's fully charged. The latest technology. Every feature works. You've got a great camera, GPS, internet, communication, apps, music, tools, and all kinds of things you can do with it. But imagine that phone never gets used. It stays sitting on the charger day after day. It's always at 100%, but it never makes a call, never sends a message, never helps you find your way, never captures a picture, never encourages anybody, never accomplishes anything.

What's the point? The phone was designed to be put to work. It was designed to be a tool that connected us. A tool that could be used for good! And like all things, Satan now uses it to distract and entrap. 

we need to be careful spiritually. We can become really good at getting charged up. We come to church. We worship. We read our Bibles. We pray. We listen to preaching. We go to Bible studies. We fast. We spend time with God. Those are all good things. But eventually, the question has to become, “What are we doing with what God has put in us?” God's grace wasn't given to us so we could become spiritual spectators. We were saved to become servants.

And good works aren't just the big, impressive things. Sometimes we think “good works” means preaching a sermon, going on a mission trip, or doing something everybody can see. But good works can look incredibly ordinary. Helping somebody who needs it. Giving when somebody is in need. Encouraging somebody who is discouraged. Forgiving somebody who hurt you. Visiting somebody who is lonely. Serving your church. Being faithful at work. Loving your family well. Praying for somebody. Sharing your testimony. Buying somebody a meal. Showing kindness when you don't have to. Standing up for someone who can't stand up for themselves.

Those things may not make the news, but they matter to God. In fact, they will have a greater impact on those individuals than any sermon, trip, or song will ever have. 

So today, don't worry about whether what you do is big enough or whether anybody notices. Just do some good. You aren't working to earn God's love; you're working because you've already received it. Take yourself off the charger and put what God has given you to work.

Today’s Prayer

Father, 

Thank You for saving me by Your grace. I know I could never earn what Jesus has done for me, but because You have saved me, I want my life to make a difference. Show me the good works You've placed in front of me today. Show me who I can encourage, help, serve, or love, and give me the courage to act. I've been saved by grace; now put me to work. Use my hands, my words, my gifts, my time, and my life for Your glory.

In Jesus' Holy name, amen.