Our Sure Foundation
Over the past few weeks in the IHCC Newsletter we have been learning about the attributes of God. This series has informed us about our omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, righteous, and sovereign God (just to mention a few of His perfections). This week, we will see an attribute of His that gives us confidence in all we know about Him. In fact, without this week’s attribute, we might have reason to doubt all the glorious things we have been learning. This attribute is His truthfulness. Because of the truthfulness of God, we as Christians have a sure and unique foundation for our faith.
Our Sure Foundation
God’s truthfulness is our sure foundation upon which our faith is validly based. When we believe the Bible, we are trusting in the Word of the God who cannot lie (Tit. 1:2). If God could not be trusted, then we would have no basis for our beliefs, and all the truths we think we know about Him would be reduced to mere fables. But because it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18), we can have full assurance of things hoped for and absolute conviction of things not seen. Aren’t you glad your hope doesn’t rest on sinful man but on the perfectly true God? When we simply take God at His Word we are depending on this sure foundation.
Our Unique Foundation
Not only is God’s truthfulness our sure foundation, it is the only foundation upon which our faith is validly based. In a time when we might echo the psalmist that “all men are liars,” (Ps. 116:11) we can take comfort knowing there is someone who does not lie. There is someone who will do what He has said 100% of the time. This unique one is God, “the only true God” (John 17:3). In fact, even if all of mankind decided that God is not faithful, it would only prove that all of mankind is a liar and God is the only one who can be trusted (Rom. 3:4). When we trust in the only one able to do all that He has promised, we are depending on this unique foundation.
Taking God at His Word
Consider the implications of these truths. Since God is the only one who is perfectly true, faithful, consistent, and reliable, Christians are privileged to live knowing without a doubt that our God will never be overpowered (Jer. 32:17), He will never leave nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5), He will never be puzzled (Ps. 147:5), He will never do evil (Ps. 11:7), He will never lose control of events (Ps. 115:3), and He will never change in any of His perfections (Mal. 3:6). Hebrews 6:18 continues and beautifully portrays the impact God’s truthfulness should have on us; because it is impossible for God to lie, believers can “have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast” (Heb. 6:18-19). These truths are a wonderful blessing and source of strength and security for us. As the world and its lusts are passing away, we have someone to turn to. We have someone to trust. We have the only firm foundation upon which to stand.
Take God at His Word and let these truths about His faithfulness change your thinking and influence your living. Whatever trials or difficulties we might face this coming week, let us ask ourselves: Do I believe that God is all-powerful? Do I believe that He is all-knowing? Do I believe that He is sovereign? Do I believe that what He has said is true? Our God is the one true God. Praise Him for being the foundation of truth.