We are in a time where trust and acceptance of someone’s word is at a premium. It is difficult to find information that we know is true and won’t change. It should be obvious that God’s word can be a source of truth. In writing to Timothy and Titus, Paul included, “This is a faithful saying” before some of his inspired comments. These faithful or trustworthy statements are always so, no matter the year, culture, or circumstance.
“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1 Tim. 1:15a). It was the point and purpose to redeem mankind (Gen. 3:15; Eph. 1:4-12; 1 Pet. 1:18). The grace of God has appeared to all men, even Paul, the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). In this context, Paul mentions that is was given to him abundantly so that “Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Tim. 1:14,16). For God desires all men to be saved (2 Pet. 3:9). No person is beyond the grace of God. Paul perpetrated terrible acts against the Christians, and yet he still obtained mercy from the God of heaven. So can we.
“It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:11-13). The grace of God and eternal life is something that is conditional. This is evident by the many conditional statements in this passage. Paul tells us that if we be “dead with Him” then we can live with Him (Gal. 2:20). It is a truth that if we endure with Jesus the Christ then we shall be saved.
“For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance” (1 Tim. 4:8-9). While there might be a little profit in the discipline of the body it pales in comparison to the benefit of godliness. Godliness is a blessing for this present life and the life to come.
“This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men” (Titus 3:8). “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). “They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed” (Titus 1:16). May we consider these faithful sayings in our daily service to the Lord.