Christian Certainties — No. 2

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            In an age of doubt, cynicism, and agnosticism, the human heart cries out for something solid, certain, and sure. We live in such an age, and it is appropriate for us to consider some of those things of which we can be sure. The existence of the one true and living God is certified both by His created universe, of which we are a part, and by His eternal Word.

            God does not only exist, but God is faithful to His promises. We are tempted to judge and comprehend God according to our own human characteristics. Men are often unfaithful, either through weakness or intentional deceit. Even good men sometimes fall into such behavior patterns. Men betray confidences, break promises, and crush honesty and honor to the earth. But we must not fall into the trap of making God in our image and after our likeness. He is not like us at all in this respect. Paul expressed certain confidence in the faithfulness of God as he drew near the end of his earthly life: “For I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:12). Though all men might betray promises, we can be certain that God will not: “If we are faithless, He abideth faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:13). Peter echoes the words of Paul: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness” (2 Pet. 3:9).

            The fact that God is certainly faithful has several implications. He will be true to Himself in the promise of salvation: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). He will be true to Himself in the right judgment of the ungodly: “If any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15). He will be true to His promise concerning the reward for the faithful: “I will come again and receive you unto Myself”
 (John 14:3). In a world of uncertainties, we can be sure of the promises of God in His Word, because the true God is behind them.

[Note: I wrote this article for, and it was published in the “Bible Thoughts” Column for the Hood County News, Granbury, Texas, January 15, 1978.]

Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.

Author: Dub McClish

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