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1 John 5:13-21
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. We live in a culture and society where truth is almost extinct. But to the faithful few, God is still a God of truth and faithfulness. Let’s look at:
- THE REALITY OF GOD’S TRUTHFULNESS! Read Num. 23:19; Deut. 32:3, 4; John 14:6; and Heb. 6:18. Most who call themselves fundamental, conservative Christians hold that God’s Word is Truth and therefore the final standard for all matters of faith and practice. One writer says “God must be, in His own character, the One Who fully conforms to the idea of what God should be, that is, infinitely perfect in all He is.” Dr. Norman Geisler says, “truth is what corresponds to reality, and is therefore dependable.” Reality tells us we can depend on God.
- THE RELIABILITY OF GOD’S TRUTHFULNESS. Read 1 Kings 8:56-61. We learn here half-hearted commitment isn’t enough. However, God is always perfectly reliable. Like so many otherdoctrines, this one can be viewed in one of two ways. For those walking daily out of harmony with God and His Word, God’s truthfulness is a threat because it confronts a person face-to-face with their sin. On the other hand if one is walking daily with the Lord God’s truthfulness becomes their hope and security. Which view applies to you? Now let’s consider
- THE REALIZATION OF GOD’S TRUTHFULNESS! Truthfulness is one of the character qualities God has and shares with us. In Phil 4:8 we are told to think about truth. Prov. 12:19 tells us truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment. As we begin to think about and speak the truth, we begin to see how God’s truth is reality! As God shares His truth with us, we in turn, begin to share His truth with others as we live a proper Christian life in front of them. God told Israel, “do not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Paul tells us in Eph. 5:1 to imitate God. That sounds so simple, but it is so hard. Why? The “truth” is to imitate God one must first eliminate self! To eliminate self, you must humble yourself, and that’s the rub. We have a twisted picture of real humility. We think humility means “milk-toast!” Read how one writer defines humility when he says, “humility from God’s perspective is to stand fast in the fear of God without fear of the outward consequences.” The only place a man who stands for God will ever fall is on his knees! The reality of this life is that God’s truth is the only truth and is the only reliable standard that can be trusted in all matter of life and living. The realization that God shares His truth with us is when it comes to us in our daily living. The question is: does the truth of God come to you as negative or positive? You know don’t you! So does God!
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
