Today’s Scripture reading is Titus 3:7-9.
Verse 8 - "...be careful to maintain good works."
One of the fundamental Bible doctrines that we preach and teach is that our salvation is only by God's grace. There is no part of salvation that involves our good works. We cannot earn our way to Heaven. (See Titus 3:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9) This does not mean that once we are saved, we can just continue to live for ourselves and not consider what God has asked of us. I have used Titus 3 and Ephesians 2 many times to speak of salvation. The key is that we don't stop reading. There are instructions to the believer for following salvation.
I remember hearing this at some point in my life - "God did not save you to sit, soak and sour. God saved you to serve!" I believe there is much truth to that statement. Those that have been gloriously saved and are maintaining good works for God's glory tend to be those who have reached the sour stage. They have been saved and taken in Bible truth for a number of years and have soaked in much. Truth set us free and is meant to be given to others. As a child of God, I must keep my eyes on Jesus. He will lead me to maintain good works.
We are saved by and should serve by the grace of God!