First Christian Church

By Bruce Humes

Pastor

The phrase “This is a faithful saying” is recorded in several places in the Holy Scriptures. Let’s look at a few.

In Titus 3:8, we read, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”

As believers, we are called to good works, which are profitable, meaning helpful to all men. The apostle Paul put it like this in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” It is something that should be part of our daily lives, something that is second nature, something we do not have to even to think about.

We also must remember that we are not saved by good works, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boost.”

Paul records another faithful saying for us in 1 Timothy 1:15: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” Our place in eternity relies on our acceptance of this faithful saying.

John 3:17 says that “God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” That was his purpose; the reason he came to earth was to save mankind.

Finally, another faithful saying is recorded in Paul’s second letter to Timothy in chapter 2, verses 11-13, “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him. If we endure, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful; he cannot deny himself ” Paul’s message here is clear: if we died with him, we live with him. This is referring to our (believers) spiritual participation in Christ’s death and resurrection, even to the point of martyrdom, which Paul experienced; we will live with him, speaks of our eternal life in his kingdom. If we endure (which means to remain faithful), we have the wonderful promise of reigning with him in glory in that future eternal kingdom.

But, if we deny him, he will deny us. Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-33, “Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my father who is in heaven.” These words describe an unbeliever or a person who remains faithless. Despite this, God remains faithful, meaning he will keep his judgements and his promises. That is God’s character and sovereignty over his creation. We need to heed his word in our lives.

If you want to speak to someone at the church or have a need, call First Christian Church office at (562) 431-8810. Leave a message, and someone will return your call as soon as possible.