We live in an age of subjective truth. It’s an age that frowns on claims of absolute and even objective truth. Some claim truth is merely relative. It’s whatever you feel or think. The standard of truth in most cultures is on a slippery slope, ever-changing. In such a time, one of the most comforting and stabilising truths is that we serve a God who is both true and truthful, unchangingly so.
God has revealed himself as the authoritative and absolute truth.
God has revealed himself as the authoritative and absolute truth. Wayne Grudem writes: “God’s truthfulness means that he is the true God and that all his knowledge and words are both true and the final standard of truth. The term veracity, which means ‘truthfulness’ or ‘reliability,’ has sometimes been used as a synonym for God’s truthfulness.” Truth denotes that which accurately corresponds to reality; to what is reliable and consistent.
The True God Speaks Truth
The truthfulness of God implies that he is the only true God and that all his words and ways are true. As one prophet declares: “The LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King…The gods who did not make the heavens, and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens” (Jeremiah 10:10–11). This echoes Moses’ glorious declaration: “I proclaim the name of the LORD: ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock; his work is perfect; for all his ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is he” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4).
Stand on the promises of the ever-true and faithful God.
God is the author, source, and determiner of truth. Everything he says is true, and his word is the final standard of truth. The person, nature and work of God correspond to the perfect and true nature of God. Unlike other gods, God, as he has revealed himself in his word, is perfect in all his ways. There is none like him (Isaiah 44:8-10; 45:5). His revealed word is true and reliable (Numbers 23:19; Romans 3:3-4; John 14:1-2, 6; Titus 1:2).
Because his character is true, we should turn to him if we desire truth. When we do we discover something more, that eternal life is knowing the only true God and his son, Jesus Christ (John 17:3). God’s true word points out many things in our changing world, but most importantly it points us to Truth himself, to God.
Knowing God Means Trusting Him and Pursuing the Truth
So we don’t merely learn truths from God, in him we meet Truth. In conclusion, here are two more life-giving implications of his truthfulness.
1. You Can Trust Him
God is reliable and trustworthy.
God can be trusted in everything he says and does (John 14:13-14; Matthew 7:7-8; 1 John 5:14). In a world where standards, systems and relations are ever-changing, God is not. He remains true. And he communicates truth. He is reliable and trustworthy. He never changes, and that makes him faithful. His character, promises, and plans are ‘yes,’ and ‘amen!’ Child of God, stand on the promises of the ever-true and faithful God (Hebrews 13:5).
2. You Must Prioritise the Truth
God’s children must strive to pursue truth in all spheres of life and be truthful in what they say. If our God is true and truthful, those who follow him must know, tell, and stand for the truth. God’s people must also be faithful and reliable. And they must also stand and defend the truth. What was said of Jesus must be said of his followers, that we’re “full of grace and truth.”
