DCLM Daily Manna Devotional 23 November 2022
3. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5. 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;
6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8. 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.
9. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
KEY VERSE:
“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.” – (Titus 3:7,8).
DCLM Daily Manna Devotional 23 November 2022 Message
There are two erroneous extremes that we must avoid as Christians. One is to think that good works are necessary to earn us salvation. The other extreme is to feel that good works are not necessary after we have been saved. After all, they say what God looks at is the righteousness we have received through Christ. He does not consider whatever we do afterwards, whether they are good or bad. Both extremes are damnable!
Apostle Paul, in this epistle, clearly gives the balanced truth regarding salvation that we must hold. We receive justification only by grace. We cannot earn it by our good works and efforts. However, after we have been saved, we must continue to show good works. Maintaining good works is the clear manifestation and testimony of the change that has taken place in the believer at salvation. It is also an expression of our appreciation to God who saved us.
Understanding this truth is important for us today. This is because so many people who claim to have been saved by grace ignore the need to keep on showing good works. “Good works” here imply fruits of righteousness and deeds of mercy. There are so called Christians who manifest piety but are like the Levite and the priest in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan who by-passed a stranger in need. They are too sanctimonious to look in the directions of people in need around them, let alone stoop down to help. Religion without acts of kindness, works of mercy and deeds of charity is empty, dry and useless.
If you are saved by grace, go ahead to maintain good works. Let your lifestyle at home, within your neighbourhood and at work have proofs of good works. It should challenge those who know you well to desire to come to Christ and become Christians.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Prove grace by your good works.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 24-25
DCLM Daily Manna 23rd November 2022 Devotional Message | Deeper Life Devotional Guide was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi. He’s the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.