Dead Works vs. Good Works: Understanding the Difference Titus 3:8

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Christians can quote the Scripture that says by grace ye are saved and not by works lest anyone should boast. An overemphasis on this verse can make it seem like works are irrelevant. It’s entirely possible; there is confusion over dead and good works.

What is a dead work?

Dead works are actions or deeds done without faith, love, or obedience to God's will, and they do not produce any spiritual benefit or fruit in the individual's life. In other words, these actions are done without a sincere desire to follow God's will or to glorify Him. They are "dead" because they do not produce any spiritual fruit or benefit to the individual or others, and they do not contribute to their salvation.

Jesus gives several examples of people who were performing dead works. One such example can be found in Matthew 23:27-28, where Jesus speaks to the Pharisees, a group of religious leaders known for their strict adherence to the law but who, in many cases, lacked genuine faith and love for God:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. So you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."

In this passage, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and outward show of righteousness, which he describes as "dead works." Although the Pharisees followed the letter of the law, they lacked genuine faith and love for God, and their actions were motivated more by a desire for public recognition than by a sincere desire to serve God.

In Matthew 6:1-8, Jesus warns against performing good deeds such as giving to the poor and praying in public to receive praise and admiration from others. He emphasizes that if we do these things to gain recognition and attention, our reward will be limited to the admiration of those who see us, but we will receive no heavenly reward.

The issue is not about refraining from prayer or forbidding public prayer. Nor is it about withholding aid from the poor or refraining from giving to charity. Instead, the crucial aspect is performing these deeds with heartfelt intention and in private, without any desire for acknowledgement or approval from others. Doing so will make our actions authentic and driven by a genuine desire to serve and honour God rather than solely to impress others.

Called to good works.

The New Testament passages clarify that Christians are called to good works but that salvation is not achieved through works. But that does not mean that works do not play a role in our Christian experience. While Ephesians 2:8-10 emphasizes that we are saved by grace through faith, it also emphasizes that we were created for good works, which God prepared for us. Let’s also be reminded of the words of another apostle, James, who highlights that faith without works is dead and that we must put our faith into action by helping those in need.

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reward and Good Works

Let's consider the book of Revelation. Jesus speaks to seven churches and emphasizes that he knows their works, not just their faith or intentions. This is a crucial point to note because our reward from Jesus is based on our good works, not just any works. Revelation 22:12 says, "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done." This verse confirms that our reward will be based on our actions or works and not solely on our faith. These passages and any others from the New Testament affirm that Christians are called to good works and that our reward will be based on our works, although works do not save us.

The verse from Titus 3:8 reminds us of the importance of maintaining good works as believers in God. Our actions should reflect the love and grace we have received from God and be a testimony to those around us.