Learn to Maintain Good Works #1424

And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:14, NKJV)

We must not only learn to walk in good works, we must also learn to maintain them (Ephesians 2:10; 5:2, 8, 15). The word Paul used for “maintain” in today’s verse means to “stand before” or to “preside” (Strong’s). We must learn to preside over our conduct by continuing to do good works without neglect. Instead of losing interest in doing good, we must supervise our attitudes so that we look for opportunities to do what is good and right. Paul said, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10). By maintaining good works we are able to meet the essential needs that arise (“urgent needs”), fruitfully fulfilling the Lord’s work. A diligent heart to do God’s will keeps on practicing good works. Without supervising our hearts, weariness and apathy will lead us to neglect our responsibility to do good to all.

Careful to Maintain Good Works #1082

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. (Titus 3:8, NKJV)

Paul, the apostle of Christ, exhorted Titus to constantly assert that Christians should concentrate on practicing good works. We must fight the temptation to rely on the accomplishments of the past to define our faith in the present, as well as in the future. When Paul said to “maintain” good works, he used a word that means “to take the lead in” devoting oneself to the moral duty we have to God. We are obliged before God to practice the good works of God (Eph. 2:10). Paul had just told Titus to remind the brethren to these good works (Titus 2:11-12; 3:1-3). Use today to reinvigorate your decision to carefully practice the good works of moral purity and doctrinal fidelity. Those around you will profit from your faithful life.