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              In Titus Chapter Three verses four and five (NLT) we read these words:

But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

The word ‘righteous’ is not used often, if at all, in our everyday language. It simply means in this context doing right things, or doing good things.  Doing right things or doing good things is or should be a hallmark of the believer. Jesus is the perfect example of doing right and good things. As people who have accepted his Lordship in our lives, and are open to his life transforming power, doing right things is a natural result of the progressive transformation in our lives in becoming more like him. In fact, in Acts 26:20 we see that doing good things is a proof for genuine transformation. “       that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do.”

In Ephesians 2:10 we see that our conversion enables us to do good things.  “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

But please note carefully that doing right things or righteous things follows a genuine conversion, does not contribute to in any way or help us qualify for our conversion. It is simply an act of a merciful God offering a merciful solution to a sinful people.  Many who have no inclination to follow Jesus do good things. Our opening text from Titus underlines the fact that doing good things, perhaps even great things, can never bring about forgiveness for our sins, a restored relationship with God, and a reservation in heaven.

Sadly, there have always been, and will continue to be, those who believe in the saving doctrine of good things. “I am a good person, I give generously to my charities and in some cases to my church. I help others, I support community activities.” This list goes on.

I think our enemy loves this doctrine. It deceives the individual practicing it by providing a false sense of security in their eternal future. It is a popular doctrine, probably all of us have examples in our relatives and friends who stake their eternal future on it.  I think there may be some in our churches who sadly continue to place their hope in it.

If it were true, there would not have been any need for the cross. But Jesus did come, he did die, his blood was spilled so that we could ask for and find forgiveness; so that we could be genuinely transformed by the power of the risen Christ and the Holy Spirit.  

The hymnwriter said: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly trust on Jesus’ name”   What is your hope built on?

                                                                                                                   Pastor Dave