Have You Been Deceived?
Jesus warns all His followers in the last days to be careful and not be religiously misled (Matt. 24:5, 24; Luke 21:8). How will you know, and how can you be sure when you are being deceived? What does God’s word say?
Titus 2:14 says that those who follow Jesus Christ are purified and are zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:7 says in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds. The apostle Paul told his ministers to constantly tell those who have believed in God to be careful to engage in good works for God’s glory (Titus 3:8). Halley’s Bible Handbook says in regard to the book of Titus; “The grand emphasis of this Epistle (book) is “Good Works.” Not that we are saved by good works, but by His mercy (3:5), and justified by His Grace (3:7). But because of this we are under strict obligation to be “zealous for good works” (2:14); and “an example of good works” (2:7); “ready unto every good work” (3:1); “be careful to maintain good works” (3:8) maintain good works for necessary uses” (3:14). It goes on to say that one of the indictments of false teachers was that they were “unto every good work reprobates” which means they express their disapproval of good works and are not of God’s elect, if you look up the word reprobate. It then references Titus 1:16; “They profess to know God but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”
Could anything be more clear? If Satan can confuse the issue of good works, a confused Christian will have none and, as a result, he will continue living an unrepentant life. He will not be imitating the way God lives (Eph. 5:1). He will not be keeping God’s Will on earth, which is good works, as it is being kept in heaven (Matt. 6:10).
Millions of self-proclaimed Christians are deceived and live disobedient, detestable lives before God because they remain worthless for good works for God’s glory (Titus 1:16). They are denying God! This is the broad way which the majority of Christians are treading down (Matt. 7:13). What, then, is the narrow Way that leads to eternal life which very few are finding (Matt. 7:14)?
If you know that Jesus Christ lived righteously and did acts of righteousness continually like Dorcas (Acts 9:36), you know that every true believer who continually practices righteousness daily as Jesus did will be born of Him (1 John 2:29). Does this fact hit you like a hammer (Jer. 23:29)? You must daily imitate Christ to be like Christ, to clothe yourself with Christ and to have His nature formed in you (Gal. 4:19). Jesus Christ cannot be formed in you unless you do the things Jesus told you to do (Luke 6:46-48).
Countless numbers of professing Christians have been told an incomplete gospel on the vital subject of works, and, as a result, they have none.
If Jesus was zealous for good works for God’s glory—and He was—shouldn’t people imitate Him (1 Cor. 11:1)? The apostle Peter said, for as long as you practice these things you will never stumble (2 Peter 1:10). What was he talking about? Let’s read it and know that there is something to do for Jesus Christ if we are to be saved.
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and they are increasing in measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things, you will never fail, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1-11).
The narrow Way, then, is perfecting holiness in the Lord by imitating Jesus daily and putting His words into daily practice (John 8:51). The broad way is to neglect these teachings. False ministers practice lawlessness (Matt. 7:22-23), while Jesus’ true ministers continually practice righteousness, preach and teach righteousness, and live the Way that Jesus lived. He lived this Way to give us an example to follow, so we should do likewise.
It is very clear, the saved are the sheep (Matt. 25:33-40). They are the daily doers of God’s word (James 1:22). They serve others continually for the glory of God (Matt. 23:11; Mark 9:35). They are the ones who glorify God daily by living a life of good works as Jesus told us all to do. This is how they let their lights shine before others (Matt. 5:16).
Satan hates good works done for God’s glory. He wants people to stay worthless for good works like him and his ministers who preach that message (Titus 1:16). He doesn’t want anyone to overcome evil (Satan) by continually doing good for God. Anyone who does overcome is imitating Jesus Christ and Satan loses another subject in his kingdom (Psalm 37:27; 2 Peter 1:10-11; Rom. 12:21).
Now you can see the difference between the broad way and the narrow way, so turn the right way. Start living the right way and become zealous for serving and loving others as Jesus did for God. This is the righteous Way that Jesus came to show us.