Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: Titus 3
- Secondary Reading: Psalms 29
Key Verse
Titus 3:8 — “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.”
Devotional Thought
Paul’s closing charge to Titus lands with surprising practicality for a letter so rich in doctrine. He tells Titus to remind the Cretan believers to be subject to rulers, to obey magistrates, to speak evil of no man, to be gentle and meek. Then, almost as if anticipating our pride, he adds the humbling reason: “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures.” Before we point fingers at the world’s disorder, we remember our own rescue. In early March, as winter loosens its grip and the first signs of spring appear, this is a fitting season to remember that we were once frozen in sin, and that God thawed us by mercy, not by our merit.
Verse 4 turns the corner: “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.” Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us — through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ. Paul piles up the language of grace: mercy, washing, renewal, abundance, justification, heirship, hope of eternal life. This is the gospel in miniature. We are not merely forgiven servants; we are made heirs, adopted into the family, with an inheritance that cannot fade.
Yet Paul refuses to let grace become an excuse for laziness. “This is a faithful saying,” he writes, “and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” The same chapter that exalts mercy commands diligence. Zenas the lawyer and Apollos are to be helped on their journey; the Cretans are to learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. Grace produces fruit; it does not replace it.
Paul also warns against foolish questions, genealogies, and strivings about the law — unprofitable and vain. There is a kind of quarreling that feels righteous but produces nothing. The remedy is not endless debate but quiet faithfulness: doing good, rejecting divisive men after due admonition, and committing our way to the God who saves.
Psalm 29 thunders alongside: “The voice of the LORD is upon the waters… breaketh the cedars… divideth the flames of fire.” This is the God who spoke and saved us, whose voice shakes the wilderness and stills the storm. And yet verse 11 lands tenderly: “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.” The thunder is real, but so is the peace. The God who breaks cedars also gives strength to the weak and peace to the trusting.
Reflection
- Where in your life are you tempted to rely on your own good works rather than resting in the mercy described in Titus 3:5?
- Paul says believers must be “careful to maintain good works.” What specific good work is God calling you to do this week, not to earn salvation, but because you have received it?
Prayer
Lord God, whose voice thunders over the waters and breaks the cedars, we bow before You. We confess that we were once foolish, disobedient, and deceived, serving our own lusts. But Your kindness and love appeared, and not by our works of righteousness, but according to Your mercy, You saved us through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Thank You for justifying us by grace and making us heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Give us strength this day, and bless us with Your peace. Make us careful to maintain good works, fruitful in every necessary use, gentle toward all men, and faithful to the end. In the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, Amen.
Psalm Verse
Psalms 29:1 — “Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.”