God Is Truth

God’s Word Is Truth

I have been teaching a summer Bible study class to a group of precious seniors at a local assisted living facility. We have been discussing the attributes of God. We have, of course, talked about God as omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. We also discussed His holiness and inclination for personal relationships. Our last lesson affirmed that God is absolute truth.

I have often heard it said that the only thing God can not do is lie. I guess that’s so, since according to Genesis 1, whatever He speaks, becomes. His word makes something out of nothing … it brings forth.

Truth is not what God does; rather, it is (like love) who God is.

Those who confess God as Lord should always believe what He says and live accordingly. I have heard people say arrogant things like, “Well, I know the Bible says that, but I just don’t believe it”–dangerous words, those! One thing about truth: it doesn’t matter if you believe it or not. It’s still truth. Truth does not depend on you. It depends solely on God.

[Jesus said,] “I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” (John 18:37) Our God is absolute truth. Our God is present everywhere and knows all things, He has complete understanding of what is real, what is right and what is true. Whatever He says is completely accurate. And according to His word, “[He] is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not a human, so He does not change his mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19). Whatever God promises will always be fulfilled.

God wants us to know the truth. He never intended that a relationship with Him should be a mystery or difficult to figure out. To explain that, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, (the Way, the Truth, and the Life) into the world to live with people, teach people, and have relationship with people. Though many people may claim to know the truth, only Jesus claimed to be the truth. Even on the night He was betrayed, Jesus prayed for His disciples, asking God to “sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

God also guides us into truth through the working of His Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17). He also declared, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:3132).

Though truth may at times seem difficult, intimidating, or frightening, the scriptures assure us that it is the very best way to live our lives. The Psalmist prays “Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to Your truth!” (Psalm 86:11).

An old friend of mine recently shared a lovely piece from Wednesday’s Word on facebook. It touched me and my sweet Bible study group. Here it is:

God’s Truth

isn’t meant to be

restricted

to academic theologians

experienced pastors

and seminary presidents.

It was given to us

by God

for sweet little girls

mischievous little boys

teenagers finding their way

busy housewives

plumbers

salesman

clerks and

baristas

lonely grandmas

successful executives

homeless wanderers

university students

the fearful

the discouraged

the anxious,

every person

searching for what only God

can give.

God’s Truth

is meant for

the hallways

bedrooms

family rooms

board rooms

university rooms

apartment rooms

supermarkets

backyards

garages

and vans

of everyday life.

God’s Truth

is meant to be

personal

relational

applicational

connected to

everyone

everywhere

in everyday life.

Theology in the hands

of God

is meant to

rescue

convict

reconcile

transform

empower

deliver

and

shape you into the

image of the

Son.

There is no doctrine

that is meant only for the

spiritual elite

the biblical intellectual

the professional Christian.

Every truth,

no matter how

full

deep

expansive and

mind-bending,

is meant to be a

tool of grace

in the life of everyone

who has been

infected

by the pandemic of

sin.

God has no favorites

doesn’t talk in

secrets.

He speaks in

human language

gifts us with the

Spirit

to illumine

his truth

so willing hearts can

see

hear

meditate and

understand.

When the Savior speaks

life happens,

life we could never

earn or

deserve

but is only ever

a gift of grace.

His truth is his

medicine

comfort

light

guardrails

oasis

sword.

His instruction is like

diamonds

warnings like

gold

comforts like

rubies

promises like

jewels.

The spiritually poor

who listen

become rich,

the spiritually lost

who follow

find their way.

The doctrines of his

Word

are one of his richest

gifts of grace,

freely given to anyone

who will come near

and listen,

meditate and

believe.

God’s Truth

is always accompanied by

God’s Grace,

and for all of us,

that means there is

hope.

God isn’t just after your mind; he’s after your heart. The doctrines of the word of God are not intended just to lay claim to your brain but to radically alter the way you live. The primary purpose of theology is not information but transformation.

God’s Truth is meant to turn you inside out and your world upside down. Doctrine is much more than an outline you give confessional assent to. Biblical theology is something you live in, even the smallest and most mundane moments of your life.

God’s plan is that when the rain of God’s Truth falls on us, it will change us—not that we will become better renditions of ourselves, but that we will become spiritually different than we were before.

God’s Truth is meant to transform your identity, alter your relationships, and reshape your finances. It’s intended to change the way you think and talk, how you approach your job, how you conduct yourself in time of leisure, how you act in your marriage, and the things you do as a parent. It’s meant to change the way you think about your past, interpret the present, and view the future.

As the rain of God’s Truth pours down, angry people become peacemakers, greedy people become givers, demanding people become servants, lustful people become pure, faithless people become believers, proud people become humble, rebels become obedient people, and idolaters become worshipers of God.

The truths found within the Word of God are a beautiful gift to us from a God of amazing grace. They are not burdensome, life-constricting beliefs. No, they impart new life and new freedom. They quiet your soul and give courage to your heart. They make you wiser than you had the natural potential to be, and they replace your complaining heart with one that worships with joy.

God unfolds the mysteries of his truth to you because he loves you. He is the giver of life, and every page in his word plants seeds of life in your heart. As those seeds take root and grow, you, too, will grow and change.

( https://www.paultripp.com/wednesdays-word)

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

God bless you and guide you always in His truth.