True Church, True Good Works: Living Out Grace in Titus 3:9-15
This is a post from the sermon on Titus 3:9-15.
The final verses of Titus 3 show us something powerful: The church displays its true nature through its good works. This isn’t about earning salvation but living out the grace of God we’ve received. As Paul wraps up his letter to Titus, he challenges the church to embody this grace by avoiding divisive controversies and staying focused on good works, especially in how we treat each other and handle differences.
1. Avoiding Foolish Controversies (v. 9)
Paul opens with a warning: steer clear of “foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law” (v. 9). These are the kinds of arguments that sidetrack our mission. In today’s context, these could be debates over Bible translations, worship styles, or personal preferences that risk overshadowing what really matters—our unity in Christ and our calling to make disciples.
These kinds of debates may seem harmless, but Paul calls them “unprofitable and worthless” because they distract us from the gospel. Instead, the church is called to show love and pursue unity. We should ask ourselves: Are we more committed to being “right” in minor issues than to showing Christ’s love to one another?
2. Addressing Divisiveness with Gospel-Centered Correction (v. 10-11)
Paul goes a step further in verses 10 and 11, showing that divisiveness has no place in the body of Christ. A divisive person stirs up strife, often by pushing personal preferences or making everything a matter of debate. But, in love, the church is called to address this behavior, not to punish, but to restore.
Gospel-centered correction is about bringing people back to the truth and community of faith. It reflects the gospel itself: God didn’t abandon us in sin; He sent Christ to save us. Similarly, when correction is needed, we do so with patience and love, following the model in Matthew 18:15-17, aiming to restore unity and point each other back to Christ.
This process can be hard, but it’s essential. If we ignore divisive behavior, we fail to protect the church’s unity and witness. And if we love our brothers and sisters, we won’t let them continue down a harmful path without speaking up.
3. Showing Grace in Action: A Life of Good Works (v. 12-15)
In verses 12-15, Paul highlights the importance of good works, calling the church to help those in need, remain productive, and be fruitful. These aren’t acts that save us; rather, they are the natural outflow of a life transformed by grace. As Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works,” prepared for us to walk in.
Good works might look like sharing the gospel, serving others, showing hospitality, or standing up for justice. In all these things, our actions should reflect God’s character, flowing from a heart that has been renewed and transformed by the Holy Spirit. The church, therefore, should be zealous for good works, not out of duty, but as a true reflection of God’s grace at work in us.
So What?
Titus 3:9-15 calls us to live out our faith in ways that show we’ve truly experienced the grace of God. A church that is marked by unity, love, and good works shines as a witness to the world. Instead of being sidetracked by unproductive arguments, let’s focus on what really matters: sharing the gospel, loving one another, and growing in our devotion to good works that reflect God’s grace.
When we prioritize these things, we show that we are indeed God’s people, “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). Let’s be a church that keeps the gospel central, avoids division, and demonstrates God’s grace in action every day.