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3. Truthfulness a) Intro (1) The
truthfulness of God, which is also related to the veracity (fidelity) and the
faithfulness (reliability) of God. b) Definitions (1) This is
that perfection of God in virtue of which He is true in His inner being, in
His revelation, and in His relation to His people. (Berkhof, Summary of Christian Doctrine) (2) That God is truth means He is absolutely
dependable, without falseness of any kind. God’s plan, principles, and
promises are completely reliable, accurate, real, and factual. (Keathly) (3) To say that God is true is to say, in the
most comprehensive sense that He is consistent with Himself, that He is all
that He should be, that He has revealed Himself as He really is, and that He
and His revelation are completely reliable. (Ryrie, Basic Theology, pg. 49) (4) The Greek word truth is alātheia and
literally means “to not escape notice,” or “non-concealment,” or “real state of
affairs.” Truth is that which is true or real as opposed to that which is
false and not real. Only an omniscient God knows the real state of affairs. c) God
is the true God in a metaphysical sense. (1) God is
true in a metaphysical sense, in that God is everything conceived in the
absolute idea of God. Anselm wrote, “we believe
that thou art a being than which nothing greater can be conceived”
(cf. Ex 3:14). (2) He alone is God, the true God (Jer 10:10;
Jn 17:3), as opposed to idols and false gods (Psa 96:4-5; Jer 10:8-10; 1Th
1:9). d) God is
truthful in everything He reveals about Himself. (1) God is a
God of truth in His veracity. Everything He has revealed about Himself is
absolutely true, including that He is a God of eternal truth (Ex 34:6; Ps
31:5; 117:2). (2) For God to do otherwise would make Him a
deceiver and cease to be God (Num 23:19; Rom 3:4; Heb 6:18). e) God
is a God of truth in a logical sense. (1) Every
statement God makes is true and contains no falsehoods, contradictions, or
deceptions (1Jn 2:21). This includes God’s true statements concerning someone
else’s lies (ex. Satan, Ananias etc.). (2) Though many truths in the Scriptures are
difficult to comprehend, there is nothing that God says or does that is
illogical. The God of truth is a God of logic (cf. Jn 1:1 - logos - Eng.
“logic”). (3) If God contradicted Himself, communication
from God would be impossible and nonsensical. When He gave the command to
Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, it did
not mean that they could also eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil
(Ge 2:17). However, God is unable to contradict Himself. (4) “It is blasphemous to think that God would
be guilty of equivocation and deception, that He would say one thing and mean
another, that He would earnestly plead with the sinner to repent and believe
unto salvation, and at the same time not desire it in any sense of the word”
(Systematic Theology, Berkhof) f) God
is a God of truth and therefore the Scriptures are truth. (1) The totality
and summary of the Scriptures is truth. It is the sole guide for man who
pursues truth (Ps 119:160). (2) Each individual verse, principle, law, or
commandment is truth (Ps 119:142, 151), therefore the sum of God’s Word is
truth (2Ti 2:15). (3) Jesus stated that God’s Word is truth and
that it is the means of morality, ethics, and sanctification (Jn 17:17; 2Ti
2:15). g) Jesus
Himself is the truth. (1) Jesus
Christ claimed to be the truth (Jn 14:6 cf. Re 19:11) and by doing so,
declared Himself to be God. (2) Jesus spoke truthfully (Mt 5:18 - Hb.
amān, Gk. “truly;” Mk 12:14) and taught truth (Jn 8:31-32, 44-46). (3) The Holy Spirit, the third member of the
Godhead, is called the “Spirit of Truth” (Jn 14:17; 15:26; 16:13). h) Being a
God of truth, He is a God of faithfulness. (1) God’s
faithfulness is the basis for His promises and covenants (Ge 24:27; Heb
10:23; 2Ti 2:13). (2) God’s faithfulness is a timeless security
for His children (Psa 119:90). (3) God’s faithfulness is the believer’s
assurance of God’s mercy (Lam 3:22-23; 1Jo 1:9). (4) God’s faithfulness provides escape for His
children from temptation (1Co 10:13). (5) God’s faithfulness is the basis for the
believer’s perseverance (1Co 1:8-9; 1Th 5:23-24). i) Conclusion
- By understanding the truthfulness and faithfulness of God, the believer
knows reality because He knows God, is able to live morally because he knows
God’s truth in the Scriptures, and walks securely because God cannot be
anything other than faithful concerning His promises. |
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Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516 |
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