Tag: God is immutable

God’s Word is Bond | Trusting in the Integrity of God

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“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live…” Ezekiel 33:11

When trying to reach people with the truth of the gospel, one of the rebuttals you will often hear is something like, “If that is true, and if God really loves us and doesn’t want anyone in hell, then why doesn’t He just spare everyone? If a person is generally good, why doesn’t God just let them go into heaven?”

Back in the day, there was a saying: “A man’s word is his bond.” A simple handshake and a spoken promise were good enough. In those symbols of agreement, that man’s integrity spoke for him.

One thing we always want to know when it comes to the Word of God is that we can trust every part of it, the good and the bad. If someone’s entrance into heaven was fudged, or the fact that even if they were a good person but refused Jesus Christ as Lord was overlooked, then the integrity of God, of His character, and Word would be questioned.

But God’s Word is His bond, my friend. Everything He spoke, for good or bad, for blessing or judgment, will come to pass. We can trust in every part of it because of the fact that it is never fudged, overlooked, taken lightly, or acted as if it really doesn’t matter.

Every part of God’s Word matters!

The Bible has not been put together as the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) to be a good read (although it is). It is life’s instruction book. In it, we see the blessings of obedience and the perils of disobedience (Deuteronomy 28; Leviticus 26).

Whether or not one chooses to believe it and follow it does not negate its integrity.

When we turn to the Word of God for wisdom, instruction, life, promises, and salvation, we want to know that every bit of it, every jot and tittle, is an unmovable truth that we can hold on to (Matthew 5:18).

If bits and pieces were overlooked or disregarded by the Author of the Word, then how could we trust in the rest?

God’s Word has been written and recorded through vessels He has specifically chosen (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21). In those blessed pages are His story of history, His love for people, His expectations, and His desire for all men to be saved (2 Peter 3:9).

That is God’s ultimate desire: to see people flood the gates of glory, come and be where He is, to live in sweet, holy communion with Him forever and ever.

For that to happen, there must be an answer for the sin that broke the fellowship in the first place.

Why? Because everything goes back to His integrity. In His integrity, we must understand that God is above all else holy. In His holiness, He CANNOT dwell with sin. That can never change.

In His Word, God shows us His plan of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). He shows us the pathway to come out of sin and to walk in the new life He desires for all people.

But it is people who must choose whether to believe, accept, and turn to this truth. God does not force anyone, and He does not bypass their free will.

The choice is always ours. In that, the integrity of God’s Word will always stand sure.

God’s Word is there for our benefit, so that we can know, believe, accept, and stand on everything He has spoken, knowing that He will never change or fudge one bit of it (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17; Numbers 23:19). It is your solid foundation that stands surer than any handshake ever could.

So, when God’s word promises abundant life (John 10:10), we can believe it. When it promises freedom, peace, joy, comfort of spirit, or any host of things, my friend, we can believe it. When it promises eternal life to those who turn to Him, we can be assured that it shall be ours.

Why?

Because everything He spoke in His Word is sure and all will come to pass (Isaiah 55:11; Joshua 21:45).

If you enjoyed this article, I invite you to check out these articles below for more encouragement:

“Make God’s Word Louder!”

“God’s Word Gives Light!”

Blessings~

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc., to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

Is It a Sign?

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Image by 巻（Maki） from Pixabay

Have you ever noticed how much we depend on signs? They tell us which way to go on highways. They give us directions on streets. They advertise products and services on billboards. And they tell us the names and purposes of buildings.

Signs are also indicators announcing the changes of seasons. They can be a signal to personality traits of another person to determine whether they are for or against us. And they can be used in some instances to determine the onset of some illness.

Signs were also referred to heavily in the Bible. Jesus used signs or miracles that pointed to the very real fact that He was the Christ, the Son of God: “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30, 31; see also Acts 2:22).

The disciples/apostles also performed many signs: “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people…” (Acts 5:12; see also 2 Corinthians 12:12). These signs demonstrated to the people the truth of Christ and His Word (Mark 16:20; see also Acts 2:43; 14:3).

While the association with signs was used in a positive sense many times, the Bible gives us warnings about relying just on signs.

As Moses was preparing the Israelites to enter their promises land, he gave them this warning:

“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.”

Deuteronomy 13:1-4

Jesus also warned, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:9).

So, how can we know if it is a sign?

The way we can tell if something is from God is to refer to the Word of God, verifying the truth in its proper context. Not manipulating the Word or taking it out of context to sign off on a wrong desire.

This is what Moses taught the children of Israel. Going back to Deuteronomy, he told them, as noted above, “Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him” (v. 4). In that, we see, if there is a sign or wonder that doesn’t align with God’s Word, God’s commandments, then it is not of God.

God will NEVER contradict His own Word (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:18). This truth alone is our solid basis on whether something is right or wrong.

Moses warned that if the sign or wonder that was performed is drawing hearts away from God and His truth, then it is not of God: “And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods… Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet” (Vv. 2-3a).

We must stand solidly on the truth of the Word. If a sign, wonder, teaching, etc. contradicts the Word, then it contradicts everything God stands for.

Everyone must be determined to follow the truth of God in their own heart and not just by what they see with their eyes. Moses told the Israelites, “The Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (v. 3; compare Deuteronomy 10:12, 13; Joshua 32:5; emphasis added). This is what Jesus tells us is the “first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37, 38).

Therefore, to find out if it is a sign, we must ask, is this drawing us away from God, out of His will, or is it drawing me closer? Because if we love Him, if our hearts are for Him, we don’t have to rely on signs. We rely on pleasing God in whom our heart is connected.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.