Young People's Group

“This Is a Faithful Saying”

by Mitchell Tan
August 18, 2017

WHAT IS A FAITHFUL SAYING?

From time to time, Paul would write a faithful saying to his readers. What is a faithful saying? It is like an ancient and trustworthy proverb of old.

“This is a faithful saying”
2 Timothy 2:11

1. It is based on truth from God’s word.

2. It is proven.

3. It is assuring.

When we read of such faithful sayings, we are meant to apply them to our life in faith.

A FAITHFUL SAYING CONCERNING IDENTIFYING WITH THE LORD

“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.”
2 Timothy 2:11-13

This is a series of conditional statements. If we were to fulfil the protasis (The first clause expressing condition), the apodosis (the second clause expressing the consequence) would come true.

1. WHEN THERE IS FAITH IN THE LORD

A. IDENTIFYING WITH THE LORD

The word “died” is a symbolic idea for identification. If we were to identify together with the Lord Jesus, we would definitely experience abundant life with Him. He would make us come alive (Colossians 2:13) together with Him and we shall have a new spiritual life in Him. This is what we will experience when we become true believers. It is definitely more than just saying “I believe.”

B. ENDURING IN FAITH TO THE END

The word “endure” means to persevere under very stressful circumstances. If our faith in the Lord Jesus causes us to endure in the sufferings of life, we shall reign with Him one day in His kingdom. Those who are faithful till the end will be given power to rule over the nations (Revelation 2:26).

C. HAVING TIMES WHERE OUR FAITH IS WEAK

The word “faithless” in Greek does not mean having no faith at all. It actually means “not believing” at that time. There are times when we are weak in faith and are not able to apply it as we should in the trials of life. Peter’s faith failed when he denied Jesus three times. And yet the Lord restored him (John 21:17). The Lord would still remain faithful to us even at times when we fail to believe.

2. WHEN THERE IS NO FAITH IN THE LORD AT ALL

The word “deny” in Greek means to totally repudiate one’s claim of faith in the Lord. There is a total denial and rejection of his faith in Christ. If a person totally denies the Lord as in the case of false teachers, then He would also deny them. He would totally reject them. He will judge them.

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