Focus: The Faithful Sayings (Pt.2)

Text: Rev.22:6

"These sayings are FAITHFUL and TRUE."

The words of God are trustworthy. The best thing that can happen to a Christian is doing and living out the word. Five times in Timothy and Titus, Paul talks of "faithful sayings." Let's go through them and learn vital lessons that will spur us to a life of faith and diligence.

*The Incarnation with a mission

Paul boldly asserts, "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" (1Tim.1:15).

The mission of Christ on earth was to save sinners, of which Paul says, "I am chief." He saw himself as the chief of sinners. In other words, if God could save the worst of sinners, all other sinners can be saved.

Jesus Christ came for the unrighteous, for the lost, for the outcast, for the social misfit, and for the sinner. He came to earth to pull men from the fires of hell and to transform a sinner into a saint.

Every believer in Christ Jesus must ensure that this mission is accomplished. Evangelism is the supreme task of the church and of the individual Christian. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. We can't afford to reject or ignore this all-important work. It is our main mission. We can't brush it aside. Paul says to Timothy, "Do the work of an evangelist." And we should also.

*The Intense desire for episcopal service

Paul says, "This is a TRUE SAYING, If a man DESIRE the office of a bishop, he DESIRETH a GOOD WORK" (1Tim.3:1). The word 'true' is the same as 'faithful' in the Greek. So it's equally a faithful saying.

"If a man desires…" The word 'desire' in the Greek means an intense desire, an earnest longing, a stretching of oneself, coveting after, reaching out for. It is one's whole being wanting something so passionately. It is the desire to serve as an overseer or supervisor. It is the desire to superintend the people and the things of God. It is the intense desire to serve as a bishop and take oversight of a whole area for God. It is desiring a sphere of influence.

"He desireth…" The word 'desire' is different from the first. The Greek word is epithumeo. The desire is so intense that one is standing on his toes and stretching out his neck, wanting and reaching out for something of value or of importance. Both words for desire are very strong and describe an inner longing for episcopal mandate.

"He desireth a GOOD WORK." He is desiring the work of a bishop, not the title. He wants to get into an office for the work it involves, not really for the honor of it. He has a mind to work. Bishopric job is a good one. What a faithful saying!

*The importance of godliness

Paul says, "This is a FAITHFUL SAYING and worthy of all acceptation" (1Tim.4:9). What is this faithful saying about? 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" (1Tim.4:8). It has to do with the profitability of godliness. Yes, "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1Tim.6:6). You can't ultimately lose in being or living godly. Piety is beauty. Godliness is promising; it promises life for today and tomorrow. In other words, it pays to serve to be godly. It is richly and eternally rewarding. Paul says, "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe" (1Tim.4:10). Indeed, this is a faithful saying.

*The import of our union with Christ

Paul clearly points out, "It is a FAITHFUL SAYING: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him" (2Tim.2:11). The head and the body are designed to function together. The Christian is one with Christ. He dies with Christ. He lives with Christ. He suffers with Christ. He reigns with Christ. He is forever united with Christ. Wherever Christ is, the Christian is there with Him. It's not possible to die with Christ and not live with Him as well. Christ is our life. In Him we live, move, and have our being. Because He lives, we shall live also. Glory! This is a faithful saying.

*The imperative of good works

Paul tells Titus, "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" (Tit.3:8).

Good works are the fruits of salvation. We are saved to serve. We are saved to do good. We are blessed to be a blessing to others. The faithful saying here is much more than doing good; it is indeed sustaining or maintaining good works. We were created for work and redeemed for good works. Start doing good and keep doing good. Sustain it for the rest of your life on earth. No relenting. Keep doing good for as long as you have breath in your lungs. Use every possible means to do good. By good works we impart and impact others. That is the faithful saying.

We have covered from salvation to the fruit of salvation. I pray that these lessons will translate to blessings in your life. I pray for these lessons to blossom in your soul and produce the spiritual crops of holy diligence and beautiful attitudes! Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter