God is Truth, He is Truthful
Day Seventeen
by Gini Crawford, MSW
www.BecauseOfGod.com
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Perfect truth
The One True God is the God of truth. There is no falsehood or lie found in Him. He is the living and true God. His Spirit is also called the Spirit of truth. God defines what is true in His Word, and that truth gives us knowledge of Him and the way to life.
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. / ...you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God... 1 John 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9b NASB®
Jesus says to us in John 14:6, that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Only in Jesus are we guaranteed the truth of life for now and eternity. Do you pray to the living and true God? If you want the truth, He is the One to go to.
We need truth
When I was getting my Masters in Social Work, we would have discussions on what truth is. Many students felt it was okay to make up their own truth. I personally thought this was an illogical view. For instance, if you have cancer, would you want the real truth, or a made up truth about your treatment options? The truth always sets me free from confusion; it always leads me in the right direction. I think we would agree, we need truth to navigate through life.
Truth or consequences
We need to be truthful with people. A person told me that a woman in our church thought I was being very unfriendly to her. So I went to the woman to apologize. She laughed and said, "Don't believe anything that person says." When someone lies, people start to not believe anything the person says. If you are in the habit of lying, you are affecting your relationships in negative ways. (Proverbs 12:17-20, 19:9). We need to be truthful, so people can trust us.
Aren't you relieved God is always truthful, so you can trust Him?
God is not a man, that He should lie... Numbers 23:19a NASB®
God's Word is truth
So Jesus was saying... "If you continue in My word...you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32 NASB®
God's Word is the absolute truth because it was God Who inspired each author to write what He wanted (2 Timothy 3:16a; 2 Peter 1:20-21). I believe we have all had doubts about God's Word being completely true. I know I have. God doesn't mind our doubts if we let our doubts lead us to a deeper understanding of Him and His Word.
I don't have the room here to discuss in-depth the intellectual reasons of why the Bible is the true Word of God, but let's quickly look at some evidence that shows its authenticity. The Bible has more manuscript evidence to support its authenticity than any ten pieces of classical literature combined. The Jews preserved the Old Testament writings like no other manuscript; each word, syllable and letter was counted for accuracy. No book was put in the New Testament except the books which were written by one of Jesus' twelve Apostles, or by a close associate of theirs. (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:19-20).
God's truth is seen through fulfilled prophecy from the Bible. Fulfilled prophecy has always made me think that only Someone Who truly knew the beginning to the end of time could have known these events to write about them. The Old Testament contains nearly 300 references to the coming Messiah (Savior). Jesus Christ fulfilled them all. Many other prophecies from the Bible have already been fulfilled concerning the nation of Israel, the rise and fall of nations and kings, and so on.
I always like to know the intellectual reasons of why something is true. But when it comes to the things of God, you must also combine Who God is into the equation. Therefore, why wouldn’t God simply throughout history keep His Word absolutely true for the people He loves, so that we can know Him and His plans for us?
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout ... So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 NASB®
God's Word is God's will
God's Word is the truth that allows us to accomplish God's will. If you want to do God's will, then do what His Word says. I know there are gray areas that God doesn't completely enlighten us on in the Bible, but everything God wants us to know about Him and His will is revealed to us through His Word. Yes, God does use other things to show us who He is (such as His creation), or to give us clarity about His will, but these other things should never contradict His Word. Ask the Spirit to create in you a desire to make His Word the primary guiding influence in your life. (Psalm 119:105; Colossians 1:9-12).
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB®
What are your conclusions about God's Word?
Life Application
The truth about your afterlife
I believe everyone searches sooner or later for the truth about their afterlife. I did a lot sooner than most people, probably because my mother died when I was 5 years old. The afterlife is one theme I have studied quite a bit in the Bible. And believe me, I am very thankful I can depend on God's truth about eternity. When God says I will have eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ, I know for sure I will. Not having the truth about the path to heaven can make your future hell.
The truth that gives us eternal life: Read Matthew 1:18-25; John 3:14-18, 14:1-9, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21; Ephesians 2:4-9.
Summarize from these passages on why you can have eternal life.
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