Paul gives us four "faithful sayings" in his letters. Four rock-solid truths you can stake your life on.

The first one appears 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." The second is in 1 Timothy 4:8-9: "Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance." The third comes in 2 Timothy 2:11-12: "It is a faithful saying: If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him." And the fourth appears in Titus 3:8: "This is a faithful saying, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works."

Do you see the golden thread running through these sayings? Watch how they build on each other! The first lays the foundation of our eternal salvation in the free grace of God, displayed in the mission of our great Redeemer. The next declares the double blessing we receive through this salvation—the blessings of the upper and lower springs—of time and of eternity. The third reveals one of the duties of God's chosen people: we are ordained to suffer for Christ, with the promise that if we suffer, we shall also reign with him. The last one shows us the active side of Christian service, calling us to diligently maintain good works.

Here is the whole Christian life mapped out! The root of salvation in free grace. The privileges of that salvation, both now and forever. And the two great branches growing from that root: suffering with Christ and serving with Christ, both loaded with the fruit of the Spirit.

Treasure up these faithful sayings! Let them guide your life. Let them comfort your heart. Let them instruct your soul. The apostle to the Gentiles proved them faithful in his own experience. They remain faithful still—not one word shall fall to the ground! They are worthy of all acceptance. So accept them! Accept them now, and prove their faithfulness in your own life.

Let these four faithful sayings be written on the four corners of my house.