Is There Any Absolute Truth? Pt. 3 The One, True God, the Living God and Reigning King.

The True God

Jeremiah 10:10-13  But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. 11) Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. 12) He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. 13) When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. 

Today, we will look at texts which specifically state that God is true. We learned that God is the source of all Truth and that truth is as much a part of who He is as His love, mercy, grace, holiness, righteousness and justice. 

We have an expression "a man who is true to his word" and this idiom comes from the fact that God is true. A man who is true to his word will keep his promises. If he said he will repay a debt he owes, he will do it. If he says that he will perform some task or undertake some responsibility, that is exactly what he does. God will always do what He promised to do and He will always keep His word. 

The names of God used in this text are Jehovah Elohim. Jehovah is the God who inhabits eternity and dwells with those who have humble hearts and contrite spirits. He is the unchanging God who will always keep His promises and do what He said He would do. He is the God of lovingkindness. 

Elohim is the God who is creator and sustainer of all life. He is the sovereign ruler of all things. He is the righteous judge who will punish sinners for their trespasses and iniquities. 

In  this text, the prophet Jeremiah makes a sharp contrast between Israel worshipping lifeless idols instead of worshipping the true God of heaven. Notice how the prophet describes God. He is the "True God", the "Living God" and the "Everlasting King." 

In those times, an idol was made by craftsmen from stone, clay, ivory, tree stumps, and were often covered with gold, silver and jewels. They were lifeless, speechless, powerless, unable to move, unable to eat, unable to do anything at all. Yet, the Israelites often fell down before idols to worship them.

The contrast could not be more distinct. God is True and He created heaven and earth, but idols create nothing. God is Living and ready to hear and act on behalf of those who place their trust in Him, but idols do not hear anyone nor can they do anything. God is King and will judge all people in righteousness and truth, but an idol cannot judge anything, cannot help anyone, cannot destroy anyone. God is True and He is sovereign, governing the universe by the word of His power, but an idol has no power to control anything.

The True Son of God, Jesus Christ.

John 3:31-36  He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32) And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33) He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34) For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35) The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. 

The apostle John recorded the testimony John the Baptist gave concerning Jesus Christ. Where did Jesus come from? He came to earth from heaven. He declared all that He saw and knew in heaven to men He ministered to on this earth. John refers to people who received Christ's testimony as those who certify that God is True. 

John tells us about the unique Oneness of the Son and the Father. What did Jesus say and do? He spoke the word of God in Spirit and in Truth because He is God in the flesh (John 1:1-3). Christ has the full, infinite presence of the Spirit of the True, Living God of heaven. The Father loves Christ Jesus and has committed all things into His hands. All who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ possess eternal life and those who reject His True testimony have the condemnation of God's wrath hanging over them. 

The only True God & Christ

John 17:1-3  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2) As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 

John recorded the priestly prayer of Jesus Christ that the Lord prayed right before He was arrested. Jesus asked the Father to glorify His Son in order that the Son might return glory to the Father. Jesus has the power to give eternal life to all who believe and His heart is that all people know "the only true God and Jesus Christ" whom the Father sent to be our Savior. 

Romans 3:4  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. 

Paul makes it clear that God is always true and all men are liars. Even the best of men who are Christians can still fall prone to lying on occasion. A person can lie by exaggerating the truth, twisting the facts to make himself look better than how it actually happened. A person can lie by telling truth, but omitting certain unflattering details. Thus, the truth is twisted into a lie because not all of the evidence was given. 

1 John 5:19-21  And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20)  And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 21) Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 

The apostle John was used of God to write a gospel record, three letters to the churches and the Bible's final book, Revelation. He brings  glorious truths of salvation before us. 

When you are born again you receive the indwelling presence of God's Spirit. When you are born again, you know that something great and marvelous happened to your soul. A change took place and a transformation work was begun. There is no other explanation except that God saved you. Thus, as John puts it "we know that we are of God." 

Jesus Christ, the Son of God came and gives every believer a new way of thinking in order that we "know Him that is true" and that we are "in Him that is true." John made it plain that the born again child of God is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His summary statement is that the Godhead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit "is the true God." 

Thoughts to Ponder...

The One, True God of Heaven has communicated to the whole world through His Word. He knows that we are frail, feeble people who cannot do anything to save ourselves or to take away our sins. But, God is full of grace, mercy and truth. He provided a Savior, His Son, Jesus Christ, in order to meet our need of deliverance from sin.

God is true and He is the God of truth. The Trinity of the Father, Son and the Spirit are the One, True God. 

The God of Truth will speak only the truth at all times. He will guide us into His truth when we seek His help (John 16). He will always do what He promised to do, whether that is saving a soul for His kingdom or passing a sentence of condemnation upon unrepentant sinners. 

Therefore, we must conclude that the LORD God of Truth is the solitary source of absolute moral truth and we must pay attention to what He says in His Word.

If you are not born again, I ask you to carefully think about what we have learned concerning the One, True God, the God of Truth. He provided for your salvation and you can be saved today if you repent of your sins and turn to Jesus Christ with believing faith. He will regenerate your heart and make all things new just as He has done for countless numbers of saints through the ages. He is a God of His Word. Will you trust Him today?

Bob