Let God be true and every man a liar

The old song states that "God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own", but in a world driven by logic, money and so called "political correctness", do we still really believe this? Do we find ourselves (while claiming a life of faith) actually living according to the demands and philosophies of this world? Do we still see a place for, or relevance for messages on the following topics?

1. Sin
2. Need for salvation
3. Faith
4. Righteousness
5. Holiness
6. Separation unto God
7. Pressing on to the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus h) Heaven
8. Ruling and Reigning with Christ

And there are many others.

Romans 2:28-3:4 KJVA

(28) For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: (29) But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (1) What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? (2) Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. (3) For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? (4) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

While considering all of this I have been reminded and challenged by Romans 3:4. In spite of any one's opinion, belief, persuasion or even the discoveries of science, God IS true. I is disturbing to see how many today so easily take scriptures and then twist (or ignore) them in order to fit a context which suites them. It does not matter what the theologians say (or anyone for that matter), "Let God be true" and "every man a liar". There is an oft quoted statement that goes something along the following lines, "God said, I believe it and that settles it". It should rather we restated as "God said it and that settles it"; my belief or lack there off does not enhance or change the truth of God.

One of the wonderful things about serving God is that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). In Him there is no uncertainty or shadow of turning (James 1:17). In a world where nothing is certain (politics, fuel, value of money and especially the weather), we have one certainty: Our God NEVER changes. The implications of this are wonderful; every promise that he makes to his children, He WILL perform (and that's a whole different and longer study on its own).

The very first lie was sown in a question, "Hath God said..." (Genesis 1:3) in which Satan asks Eve, "Did God really say that you can't eat of the tree". Translated into a more modern context, which is sadly used by many believers and cynics, "Does the Bible really say this, or mean that?" The conclusion of such a question (if not based on a sincere desire to find and follow the truth) is that we too will call God a liar (Genesis 3:4); and we will accept arguments like, "when read in context, the Bible actually means this, or that only applies to then, or even that the Bible is simply wrong".

God's ways don't always make sense, or even seem fair, but they are always correct, true and for the best. There are many examples of what happens when man tries to do things according to his own wisdom. For me the two most striking one are:

• King Saul (1 Samuel 15:9); Saul keeps the king as well as the best of all that was considered valuable and good. A good business decision which flew right in the face of God's will. The conclusion was that although he had wealth and success, God rejected him (1 Samuel 15:23). What is really troubling is that when Saul is challenged about his disobedience, he flatly denies it; he basically contextualised God's command to suite his circumstance. Saul's life could very well be summed up by Mark 8:36; what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul.

• Seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13-16); Doing things for God, but according to their own understanding and leading. The conclusion to their story was seven naked and injured men running down the road with the verdict following them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" A chilling reminder pointing to God's judgement in Matthew 7:22-23.

2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God is not willing that any should perish (praise His name) but also goes on to tell us that the Day of the Lord WILL come in which the world will be judged, and because of this we need to live holy and godly (2 Peter 3:11). God loves us (John 3:16) but he is also not mocked (Gal 6:7). In short God is TRUE and His will WILL ultimately be done; with or without my support.

God's ways are not our ways. As a voice to Pharaoh He choose Moses (who had a speech impediment). As a voice to the Gentiles He choose Saul, a persecutor of Christ. As a liberator of the Israelites He choose blind and imprisoned Samson. As the forerunner to Christ He choose the strange John the Baptist. And as a coronation ceremony for the King of kings, He choose a donkey and then a crucifixion; the list is endless. In short:

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (1Corinthians 1:26-31 KJV).

Sadly though: (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV).

In light of the above, Timothy is encouraged to watch in all things, while enduring affliction. I am convinced that as time draws to a close, serving God (as He would have us to) is going to become more and more unfashionable (and even illegal in some instances). I trust that at the end of the day that I too may be able to say, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day" (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

A drug addict doesn't need to hear that he needs to reduce his drug intake any more than an alcoholic needs to hear that she should drink less. In order to be helped (by those that care) they need to hear the truth. In the same way people need to hear of their need of Christ and the fact that He is their only solution. Does the solution that I present to the world point people towards the true light or does it leave them maybe feeling better about life but still stumbling in the dark? While meditating on these things, I came across the following verse:

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD (Lamentations 3:40, KJV).

In a similar vein 2 Chronicles 7: 14 kJV says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Although I have taken this verse out of context, it has challenged me with the following:

• God wants to have input into our lives and bless us
• God wants to hear and commune with His people
• I need to walk humbly before him i.e. live according to His leading, not mine. d) Acknowledge my need and confess my error to Him
• Turn from my errant ways.

If I want to see the world reached for Christ, and even more, if I wish to be part of the process, I need to live according to the spirit of the above verse.

Consider the following Spiritual leaders land up in the following situations:

• Saul - Played the fool with God and was rejected (1 Samuel 26)
• Samson - Knew not that the God had left him (Judges 16:20)
• King David - Committed adultery and murder (1 Samuel 11)
• Balaam - Was rebuked by a donkey (Numbers 22)
• Judas - Betrayed Christ (Matthew 26:15)

But to mention a few; let's be encouraged to do things God's way and not ours.

At some point each of the above hardened their heart to the direction of God and did what they deemed right in their own eyes. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:12, which paraphrased warns me not to think too much of myself as I too have the potential to fall.

If I claim to serve God, I need to do so according to His will, and the only pointer that I have to His will is His word. The only way that I can follow His word is by FAITH; Faith which by definition can't be proved and in application often contradicts the common beliefs and philosophies of mankind.

Definition of faith; substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). I can't empirically prove anything about God to anyone, but neither can anyone disprove the reality of God to me. The evidence of Him in my life will however only be truly evident when I walk according to His leading and instruction.

Application of faith; God IS true and everything else a lie. This is best summed up through Abraham (who believed God and to whom it was therefore counted as righteousness; in fact he was called a "Friend of God" (James 2:23)). God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son (how does that fit in with logic, political correctness, wisdom etc). Abraham didn't think twice about it (after all the only truth, the only reality in his life was God, and His will). Abraham's faith was such that

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, (18) Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: (19) Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure (Hebrews 11:17-19; KJV).

He fully trusted and followed after God knowing that even though the calling made no sense, was not fair and in fact would result in greatest trail of his life, that his God reigned and was in control; his God was TRUE.

In conclusion, one of the more moving sections in the word is the comment made of those faithful saints who have gone before us:
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (40) God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,(2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 11:29-12:2; KJV).

These people did things God's way. They are proof of the fact that such lives can be lived, and that God is faithful. In fact, they were such an example for God that in verse 38 we are told that the world was not worthy of them. But the really challenging bit lies in verses 1 to 2. They are witnesses to our faithfulness or unfaithfulness and with that in mind we need to consciously commit to doing things God's way. We are indeed part of a great race, with the whole of heaven cheering us on. Let us run with patience, following the leading and direction of our Lord and Saviour.