OUTLINE:

“good works”
They are never, ever by means of work done by you in the absence of His grace.

“for good works” - Tit 2:14
“Good” implies God’s scale of values, not man’s. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...” (Jas 1:17a).

“for good works” - Tit 2:14
If we’re sanctified for the purpose of being “zealous for good works,” then we need to understand what the Bible MEANS when it uses the word “good” in context here.

Understanding Good That Sanctifies
Grace is good, as is the humility required to receive it.

Plausible Deniability
A covertly arrogant person deceives themselves. It’s a strategy that allows plausible deniability when faced with judgement. Remember, arrogant people hate to be judged (God’s judgements are especially visceral). “Better to remain willfully ignorant,” says the arrogant person.

“he deceives himself”
This is the epitome of covert arrogance - it “hides” sinfulness away, out of “sight.” This strategy allows sin to persist and avoid the scrutiny of introspective self-examination. Calling darkness light and light darkness accomplishes this.

“but overcome evil with good”
You don’t have to actively or exhaustingly try to overcome evil (even that which is in your own life) by force; you simply leave it be and turn to good. Good is light and light extinguishes darkness without fail. Simply turn to good (e.g., repent).

The best “good” you can ever do in time is receive God’s grace!

2Co 9:8
- God gives grace abundantly (to the humble, of course)…
- “So that” (aka for the purpose of)…
- You are sufficiently able to (in all things)…
- Abound in “every good work”

The “secret” to good is grace.

The best “good” you can ever do in time is receive God’s grace!

Understanding Good That Sanctifies
Grace is good, as is the humility required to receive it.

The “secret” to good is grace.

The best “good” you can ever do in time is receive God’s grace!

Understanding Good That Sanctifies
Grace is good, as is the humility required to receive it.

Sanctification is a function of obedience.

Summary
A humble person is an obedient person that receives grace and is sanctified as a result, fulfilling God’s own purposes for them.

The Goal of Sanctification
The divine context for the life of a believer is love.