Titus 3:8. "I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men." The "things" Paul wants Titus to insist the Christians under his authority remember are: "to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy to all men." (Titus 3:1-2). Paul reminds Titus that we all once were not doing these things, but were instead foolish and disobedient, and we found ourselves led astray. It was Jesus Christ who saved us, not because of our righteous deeds, but in spite of our lack of them, and because of His own love and mercy (Titus 3:3-6).

So Paul encourages us to do these things, to act rightly, not because they will save us, only Jesus can save us, but because they are "excellent and profitable to men." By acting this way, we dispose ourselves and others to receive His salvation. When we act contrary to these things, for example, by engaging in "stupid controversies, ... discussions, and quarrels over the law" (Titus 3:9), we find ourselves again "hated by men and hating one another." (Titus 3:3), which closes us off to the Holy Spirit and does not inspire others to seek Christ.

The point of our lives is to receive the salvation Christ has won for us, and to help others do so, as well. Many in Paul's time, and ours, do not know Christ. If those of us who do are acting the same way as those who do not, by getting caught up in every new controversy and being slaves to passing pleasures or deep passions, how will we attract others to the Church? When we act this way, it does not appear that Christians are any different from anyone else.

Our good habits beget good deeds and bring us peace. They are profitable to us and the world because they bear the fruits of our accepting Christ's mercy, and living and acting as He did: with obedience and gentleness. Jesus alone won us salvation, but if we are going to attain it and bring others to it, we have to show that His way is different and preferable to the ways of the world; that His way brings camaraderie, peace, and goodwill.