Common Faith

To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. - Titus 1:4

    The common faith of which Paul speaks, does not mean that it is ordinary or plain, or that every one possesses this faith. The faith spoken of is peculiar only to those to whom God has given it (Eph. 2:8-9). It is called like precious faith (2 Pt 1:1). It is the same faith that all who know Christ have. This precious faith has one precious object—Christ! Unto you therefore which believe he is precious (1 Pt 2:7). This common faith looks only to Him—Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2).

    Without exception, All those who have this faith know Him, love Him, believe his Gospel, follow Him, and are committed to Him. Faith in Christ is the brand or mark which identifies and distinguishes his people from the world. This common faith is the bond that unites and makes his church to be one in Him.

    This common faith makes reference to the Gospel, as well. Those who have this faith agree whole-heartedly upon the person and work of Christ, and salvation in him alone. All to whom he has given faith, believe and rejoice in God’s sovereign grace and glory, revealed in the face of Jesus Christ. Those who have this faith have renounced all righteousness, even their own, and submit themselves to the righteousness of God. This common faith, this precious faith, is the life of the child of God—I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20). For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Rom 1:17).

    Without this faith it is impossible to know God, worship God, or please him in any way. Faith never exalts itself, but rather exalts it’s object, which is The Lord Jesus Christ.