Titus 3:1-2 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,… I. THE COURSE SPECIFIED. "Every good work." Every department of religion may be so denominated, repentance, faith, restitution, obedience, prayer, praise. 1. There is the work of mercy to the bodies of our fellow men. Our fires will burn brighter, our clothes be warmer, our food sweeter, our slumbers more refreshing, if we tread in the steps of the blessed Jesus, who went about doing good. 2. There is the good work of compassion to the souls of our fellow men. How many are ignorant and out of the way. What can we do to win souls to Christ? 3. There is the good work of affection and kindness to the household of faith. II. THE DIRECTION GIVEN. 1. The qualification, "Be ready."(1) That we have the disposition. Naturally, we have not the disposition. But the grace of God always imparts it. If the heart be good, then we shall have dispositions of goodness. (2) That we do good cheerfully. That it is not our burden. Not a sacrifice. Not a painful, but easy yoke. (3) It is to do good promptly. "To be ready." To be at the call. Everything nearly depends upon being in season. (4) Includes perseverance. Never to wish to cease, till the Saviour says it is enough. 2. The extent of the direction. "Be ready to every good work." As you have ability and opportunity. 3. The motives which should influence us. (1) Our religion is emphatically one of goodness. It allows of nothing malignant, or malevolent, even to enemies. (2) Our spiritual improvement is connected with it. It is by acting that we are conformed to Christ. (3) Our happiness is inseparably connected with it. It is heaven on earth. The joy of angels, felt and realised by man. (4) Our future amount of glory is connected with it. We are to be judged by our work, not by our faith, gifts, etc.Application — 1. Urge on the unregenerate the work of repentance. 2. Urge believers to be ready, etc. (J. Burns, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, |
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