There are five sayings known as ‘the faithful sayings’, in 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus (known as The Pastorals) which you must know and have at the centre of your thinking and living. Do you know them? Will you be gripped by these —

1) “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst. (1:15);

2) “But [“the woman”] will be saved …. Here is a trustworthy saying” (3:1);

3) “… godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.

That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe.” (4:8-10)

4) “… the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with him;” (2 Timothy 2:10-11);

5) “But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, … through … Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, … we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things” (From Titus 3:4-8).

  • Each ‘faithful saying’ in the original contains the same three words in the same order, and can be translated as: ‘faithful/trustworthy the word/ message/report/news/statement/declaration/proclamation/teaching’. God is repeatedly saying the same things to you. So, do you get it?
  • So, at the ‘heart and soul’ of your mind, speech and practice (& ours as a church), should be what is at the heart of God’s ‘heart/mind/soul and practice’: the eternal rescue of lost sinners, through Christ.
  • So, are you praying — regularly, repeatedly, fervently — that people (you know & don’t know; near & far) will “be saved” (2:4)? This entails: are you praying (regularly, repeatedly, fervently) that people (known & unknown; near & far) will hear the gospel, the ‘word’ about the only “mediator between God & mankind … Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (v5-6)?
  • So, are you being a helpful member of your church, or are you arguing as an ego trip or causing division by focusing on minor topics, and thus “God’s name and our teaching may … be slandered” (6:1)? How you live affects how good and effective we are at doing what God wants us to do. So, your life matters.

 

Friends, God LOVES IT when you have ‘a heart of love’ (& head, mouth & life) for the lost, and when you live in a way that helps you and your church to “in every way … make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.” (Titus 2:10).

Cameron