Focus: Paul's Faithful Sayings

Text: Tit.1:9

"Holding fast the FAITHFUL WORD as he hath been taught…"

In 1Cor.1:9, Paul tells us that God is faithful. In Cor.10:13, Paul tells us again that God is faithful. In 1Thes.5:24, Paul declares that God, who has called us, is faithful, and that He is a doer of His own words. In 2Thes.3:3, Paul says that the Lord is faithful. In 2Tim.2:13, Paul tells us that God remains faithful even when we back out or deny Him, and He goes on to tell us that God cannot deny Himself. In Heb.10:23, the author says that God is faithful to His promises. That means that whatever He promises to do, He does it. He doesn't go against His word. He stays true to His word. His word is His bond. The Scripture makes us understand that God has exalted His word above His name. In Heb.11:11, Sarah judged God faithful - a keeper of His own promises. In 1Pet.4:19, Peter describes God as the faithful creator. In 1Jh.1:9, John tells us that Christ is faithful. In Rev.1:5, he calls Christ, "The faithful witness." In Rev.3:14, He is called, "The faithful…" In Rev.19:11, Christ sits on a white horse, bearing the name of "the Faithful and True…" 

Our God is absolutely faithful and perfectly trustworthy, and as the faithful God, He says faithful words and makes sure promises.

In four places Paul gives us what he describes as "a faithful saying." These faithful sayings are words that you can take to the bank, because they are true, credible, and creditable.

Let us check out each of these four faithful sayings.

*Sure salvation

Paul says in 1Tim.1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. By His shed blood on the cross He has rescued the sinner from sin's power and penalty. Paul, using grammatically the historical present, describes Himself as the chief of sinners. He is an outstanding testimony to the saving power of Christ. His death is eternally vicarious and victorious.

*Sound desire

Paul says in 1Tim.3:1, "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." You can take what is said about the office of a bishop to the bank. It's true and reliable. To be a bishop is more than occupying an office; it is about doing a good work. The bishopric is a great work. Those desiring that office must be ready to do the work it entails.

*Sacred lifestyle

In 1Tim.4:8-9, Paul says, "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation." O yes, godliness is profitable. It pays to live a godly life both in this world and in the world to come. Bodily health and fitness are gained by bodily exercise, but a beautiful and a wonderful life is only realized by living a godly life. Godliness brings time and eternity together. In a godless society God's people can lead godly lives. Godliness is to live the kind of life in which there will be no regrets whatsoever.

*Sure guarantee

Paul tells us in 2Tim.2:11, "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him." Christ is the sure guarantee that death is not final for those who believe in Him. There is life after death. Our oneness with Christ is our life insurance. We gain immortality through our faith in Christ Jesus, and this is a reliable word.

*Solid work

Paul tells us in Tit.3:8, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." We do not work to be saved; we work because we are saved. Those who believe in Christ show it through good works. Those saved by faith also work by faith. Genuine faith is known by the work it does. The Christian believer is exhorted by Paul to maintain good works because they are good and rewarding. Good works are truly solid work, for they last forever. Beyond time our good works will speak for us in eternity.

These are faithful sayings from the lips of Paul. The faithful God says faithful words. John, in the book of Revelation, tells us that "these words are true and faithful… These sayings are faithful and true" (Rev.21:5; 22:6). Peter tells us that through Christ we now have a more sure word of prophecy. The words of Jesus Christ are sure. Whatever God says stands.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter