Truth

John the Baptist, speaking of Jesus, made this bold assersion: "God is true." (John 3:33) "Bold assersion? Isn't that a given?" One would think so, but these days it is in question. His Word isn't reliable. And anyone that argues that it is is some sort of nut. Oh, the "gotcha" word of the day is "fundamentalist". So in light of the popular "Christian" perception these days that God's Word is certainly not inerrant or infallible, it comes as a bold statement to argue that God is true.

So what? If a person has a less then complete notion that God is true, what does it matter? It matters much. What John actually said with his declaration of the truthfulness of God is "He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true." (John 3:33) That is, everyone that has a functioning relationship with Christ affirms this fact. Beyond this, eternal life is found in knowing the only true God (John 17:3). No true God, no eternal life.

It's big, then. It is on His attribute of truth that we base our confidence that He will keep His promises. On His truth we base the certainty that what He tells us is true even if it defies experience or our comprehension. And it is the suppression of this truth that produces God's wrath against us (Rom 1:18).

There are positives and negatives to God's attribute of truth. Without it we invite wrath, demonstrate a lack of relationship with Christ, and eliminate eternal life. Isn't it interesting that Jesus said that the reason He wasn't believed was that He spoke the truth (John 8:45)? On the other hand, with it we have certainty, confidence, comfort, and freedom (John 8:32).

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. (2 Thess 2:16-17)