23 September 2026
Mark Penrith reminds us that grace never leaves us unchanged. Paul writes, “This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works.” Good works do not save us. They flow from salvation. Mark says, “We do not do good works to be saved. We do good works because we are saved.” Grace gives us a new heart, and that new heart produces a new life.
Paul uses the word devote. That means good works should not become occasional acts we perform when it suits us. They should become part of our ordinary Christian life. Mark says, “The gospel produces something. The gospel is not inert. The gospel is not impotent. The gospel is potent.” The gospel has power. It produces fruit. If Christ has saved us, His grace should shape the way we use our time, energy, money, words, and opportunities.
So ask yourself this morning, “What am I devoted to?” Your calendar may answer more honestly than your words. Your attention reveals what matters to you. Your time reveals what you value. Mark gives us the picture clearly: “The gospel is a good root that bears good fruit. And the fruit of the gospel is good works.” Choose one good work today. Encourage a colleague. Help someone who is struggling. Keep a promise. Serve your family without being asked. Give your children one simple opportunity to bless someone else. Teach them that serving others is not unusual for Christians. It is normal.
There is also freedom here. We do not need to perform good works to prove ourselves to God. We do them because Christ has already done what we could never do. Mark says, “So we rest. And we work. Not to earn favour. From favour.” That changes everything. We can serve without seeking applause. We can give without needing recognition. We can help when nobody notices. The Father has already given us grace in Christ. Now we get to let that grace bear fruit through our lives.
Father, thank You for saving us by grace. Make us devoted to good works today. Show us someone we can serve, encourage, help, or bless. Let our good works point others to Christ. Amen.