By.: Dr. Nilo H. Flores
September 29, 2026
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”
— Titus 3:5 (KJV)
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your Word and for the truth of salvation.
Thank You that I do not have to earn Your forgiveness through my own efforts. Thank You that Jesus Christ has already done what I could never accomplish for myself.
Father, help me understand clearly that salvation is not something I can purchase, earn, or deserve through good works.
Keep me from trusting in my religion, my achievements, my reputation, or my personal goodness.
Help me place my complete confidence in Jesus Christ.
At the same time, teach me to live a life that is fruitful, obedient, and pleasing to You—not so that I can be saved, but because You have already saved me by Your grace.
Give me humility when I speak about salvation. Help me share the Gospel clearly and lovingly with those who are trusting in themselves instead of Christ.
May everything I do bring glory to You.
In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.
Amen.
Introduction
We have already learned several important truths about salvation.
Salvation is by grace.
Salvation is through faith.
Jesus Christ is the only Way.
Today we come to another truth that must be understood clearly:
Salvation is not by works.
Many people sincerely believe that they can earn their way to heaven.
They may say:
“I try to be a good person.”
“I help the poor.”
“I attend church.”
“I give money.”
“I pray.”
“I follow religious traditions.”
“I have never committed a serious crime.”
These things may sound good.
And many of these activities can be good and helpful.
But good works cannot remove sin.
Good works cannot erase guilt.
Good works cannot purchase eternal life.
The Bible says:
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”
This truth humbles every person.
We cannot save ourselves.
We need a Saviour.
What Does “Works” Mean?
Original Greek Study
Greek Word: ἔργον
Transliteration: ergon
Pronunciation: er’-gon
The Greek word ἔργον (ergon) means:
- Work
- Deed
- Action
- Labor
- Accomplishment
- Something that is done
In the New Testament, the word can refer to actions or deeds.
The issue in Titus 3:5 is not whether good works have value.
They do.
The issue is whether our works can save us from sin.
The answer of Scripture is clear:
They cannot.
1. Good Works Cannot Save Us
Titus 3:5 says:
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done…”
Notice the words:
“which we have done.”
Human righteousness is not the foundation of salvation.
Why?
Because even our best efforts are not perfect.
Romans 3:10 says:
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
And Romans 3:23 says:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
If salvation depended upon perfect human performance, nobody could be saved.
That is why God provided another way.
Salvation is based upon Christ, not human performance.
2. God Does Not Compare Us With Other People
One of the easiest ways to feel good about ourselves is to compare ourselves with someone else.
We might think:
“At least I’m not as bad as that person.”
Maybe we see someone who lies more than we do.
Someone who drinks excessively.
Someone who behaves badly.
Someone who has made terrible decisions.
And we think:
“I’m a better person than he is.”
But God’s standard is not another sinner.
God’s standard is His own holiness.
Imagine two people standing before a perfectly straight measuring line.
One person may be taller than the other, but neither one changes the standard.
In the same way, comparing ourselves with other people does not solve our sin problem.
God’s standard is perfect righteousness.
3. Religious Works Cannot Save Us
Religion can become dangerous when people trust religious activities instead of Christ.
A person may:
- Attend church regularly
- Give offerings
- Sing in the choir
- Teach Sunday school
- Pray publicly
- Read the Bible
- Participate in ministry
- Serve in church
All of these things can be good.
But none of them can substitute for personal faith in Jesus Christ.
A person can be active in church and still be lost.
Jesus warned about people who performed religious works but did not truly know Him.
Matthew 7:22–23 says:
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?”
They listed their religious accomplishments.
But Jesus said:
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you…”
This is a serious warning.
Activity for God is not the same as a relationship with God.
4. Good Works Cannot Erase Sin
Imagine writing a debt on a piece of paper.
Then someone says:
“I will do ten good things, and that will erase the debt.”
The good things may be valuable, but they do not automatically cancel the debt.
Sin creates a real spiritual debt.
Romans 6:23 says:
“For the wages of sin is death…”
The solution is not to pile up good deeds.
The solution is Christ.
Jesus paid the price we could never pay.
1 Peter 2:24 says:
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…”
Christ paid our debt at Calvary.
5. Salvation Is God’s Mercy
Titus 3:5 continues:
“…but according to his mercy he saved us…”
This is beautiful.
Paul does not say:
“According to our goodness.”
He says:
“According to his mercy.”
Original Greek Study
Greek Word: ἔλεος
Transliteration: eleos
Pronunciation: el’-eh-os
The word ἔλεος (eleos) means:
- Mercy
- Compassion
- Kindness
- Pity toward someone in need
God saw humanity in its sinful condition and provided mercy.
We deserved judgment.
God offered mercy.
We deserved condemnation.
God provided salvation.
We deserved death.
God offered eternal life through Jesus Christ.
That is mercy.
6. Grace and Mercy Meet at the Cross
Grace and mercy are closely connected.
Mercy means God does not give us the judgment we deserve.
Grace means God gives us blessings we do not deserve.
At Calvary, we see both.
Because of our sin, we deserved judgment.
God showed mercy.
Through Jesus Christ, God offers salvation.
That is grace.
The cross reminds us that salvation is not cheap.
Jesus paid the price.
Isaiah 53:6 says:
“…and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Our sin was laid upon Christ.
He became our substitute.
7. Ephesians 2:8–9 Removes Human Boasting
One of the clearest passages about salvation is Ephesians 2:8–9:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
“Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Think about what this means.
If salvation were earned by works, heaven would be filled with people saying:
“Look what I accomplished.”
But salvation by grace produces a different testimony:
“Look what Jesus Christ did for me.”
There is no room for pride at the foot of the cross.
The cross destroys boasting and produces gratitude.
8. What About Good Works?
Someone may ask:
“If good works cannot save us, does that mean good works are unnecessary?”
No.
The Bible teaches that good works are important in the Christian life.
Ephesians 2:10 says:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”
Notice the order:
Verses 8–9: We are saved by grace through faith, not by works.
Verse 10: We are created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
This means:
We are not saved by good works.
We are saved unto good works.
Good works are the result of salvation, not the cause of salvation.
A healthy tree produces fruit.
The fruit does not make the tree alive.
The living tree produces the fruit.
In the same way, genuine salvation produces a changed life.
9. Good Works Should Follow Salvation
James 2:18 says:
“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith by thy works.”
Works demonstrate faith.
If a person truly trusts Christ, that faith should begin to influence his life.
We should become more loving.
More forgiving.
More honest.
More patient.
More obedient.
More faithful.
More compassionate.
More willing to serve.
Not because we are trying to purchase salvation.
But because salvation has already changed us.
We do not work for salvation; we work because of salvation.
10. The Example of the Thief on the Cross
One of the clearest examples that salvation is not earned by works is the repentant thief on the cross.
Luke 23 records the conversation.
The thief had no opportunity to:
- Get baptized
- Join a church
- Give an offering
- Perform charitable works
- Attend a Bible study
- Serve in a ministry
- Repair his past
He simply recognized who Jesus was and trusted Him.
He said:
“Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”
Jesus answered:
“To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
The thief could not earn salvation through works.
He trusted Christ.
What a powerful picture of God’s grace!
11. Salvation Cannot Be Bought With Money
Simon the sorcerer once attempted to obtain spiritual power with money.
Peter rebuked him.
Acts 8:20 says:
“Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”
The gift of God cannot be purchased.
Money cannot buy forgiveness.
Money cannot buy eternal life.
Money cannot buy a place in heaven.
Money cannot buy God’s acceptance.
Salvation is priceless because it is God’s gift.
12. The Danger of Self-Righteousness
Self-righteousness can be more difficult to recognize than obvious sin.
A person who knows he is a sinner may be willing to seek a Saviour.
But a person who thinks he is already good enough may not see his need for Christ.
Jesus told the story of the Pharisee and the publican in Luke 18.
The Pharisee proudly listed his religious accomplishments.
The publican simply cried:
“God be merciful to me a sinner.”
Jesus said that the humble man went home justified.
The lesson is powerful:
God does not save the person who boasts in himself.
God saves the sinner who humbly trusts Him.
Business for Christ
This truth is especially important in the business world.
Business often rewards performance.
If you work hard, you may receive a promotion.
If you produce quality products, customers may return.
If you manage your resources well, your business may grow.
Performance has its proper place in business.
But salvation operates on an entirely different foundation.
You cannot perform your way into heaven.
You cannot achieve your way into God’s family.
You cannot build enough success to purchase eternal life.
Your company may become successful.
Your name may become respected.
Your bank account may become large.
Your influence may increase.
But none of these things can save your soul.
Jesus asked:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
— Mark 8:36 (KJV)
That question should remain in our hearts.
Success without Christ is ultimately empty.
Practical Application
Take time to examine your heart.
Ask yourself:
- Am I trusting Christ alone for salvation?
- Am I secretly depending upon my good works?
- Do I think God will accept me because I am a good person?
- Am I trusting religion instead of Christ?
- Do I understand the difference between being saved by works and serving God after salvation?
- Does my salvation produce good works in my daily life?
- Am I humble when sharing the Gospel with others?
Remember:
You cannot save yourself.
But you can trust the One who can save you.
Jesus Christ is enough.
Today’s Challenge
Read and meditate on:
Titus 3:3–8
Ephesians 2:1–10
Romans 3:19–28
Luke 18:9–14
Luke 23:32–43
Today, write down two lists.
List 1:
Things I once trusted in for acceptance with God.
List 2:
What Jesus Christ has done for my salvation.
Then thank God that salvation does not depend upon your ability to earn it.
Ask Him to help you serve Him faithfully—not to earn salvation, but because you are already saved by His grace.
Finally, share this simple truth with someone:
“We cannot save ourselves by good works. Salvation is God’s gift through Jesus Christ.”
Remember
Good works are good, but good works cannot save.
Religion can be valuable, but religion cannot save.
Money can be useful, but money cannot save.
Human goodness is admirable, but human goodness cannot save.
Only Jesus Christ can save.
We are saved by grace through faith.
Then we serve Christ because we love Him.
✍️ Quotation by Dr. Nilo H. Flores
“Good works can make a person respectable before men, but only Jesus Christ can make a sinner righteous before God. We do not work to earn salvation; we serve because salvation has already been given by grace.”
— Dr. Nilo H. Flores
😊 Flores Faith Smile
A Sunday school teacher asked:
“Class, can good works save us?”
One little boy quickly answered:
“No, ma’am.”
The teacher asked:
“Why not?”
The boy said:
“Because if good works could save us, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to die on the cross.”
The teacher smiled and said:
“Very good!”
Then the boy added:
“But my mother still wants me to do good works at home.”
Everyone laughed.
The teacher replied:
“Yes! We don’t do good works to get saved, but saved people should certainly do good works.”
Lesson to Remember:
Good works are not the root of salvation; they are the fruit of a life changed by Christ.
Closing Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your mercy and grace.
Thank You for reminding me that I cannot save myself.
Forgive me for the times when I have trusted in my own goodness, achievements, religion, or abilities.
Help me always remember that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ.
Thank You for sending Your Son to die for my sins.
Thank You that Jesus paid the price I could never pay.
Help me never boast in myself.
Help me boast only in Christ.
After receiving Your salvation by grace through faith, help me live a life that produces good works.
Make me honest in my work.
Faithful in my responsibilities.
Compassionate toward others.
Generous toward those in need.
Faithful in ministry.
Bold in sharing the Gospel.
May the good works of my life point people toward the Saviour and never toward myself.
Use me for Your glory.
In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.
Amen.
Memory Verse
Titus 3:5 (KJV)
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”
Today’s Prayer Focus
Thank God that salvation cannot be earned by human works.
Thank God for His mercy and grace.
Thank Jesus Christ for paying the price for our sins.
Ask God to remove pride and self-righteousness from your heart.
Pray that your life will produce good works after salvation.
Pray for people who are trusting in religion or personal goodness instead of Christ.
Ask God for opportunities to share the Gospel clearly.
BUSINESS FOR CHRIST
Preaching the Gospel • Equipping Believers • Making Disciples
Tomorrow — Day 14
BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
— Acts 16:31 (KJV)
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