Consistent in His Promises

By: Undre Griggs, Jr.

The characteristics and traits of God are as majestic as they are vast. We could talk about His love, His compassion, or His wrath. We could study His patience and desire for all to be saved. It can be overwhelming to think about God and all He has to offer. With the time we have, we will focus on His promises and the need for His followers to follow Him. 

Psalm 33:4 (NIV): "For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.”

God is consistent in His promises.  He is the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega; He is the same today, tomorrow, and forever. The fact we can rely on His word should bring us comfort in the worst of situations. God is never going to change His mind and if we obey Him, we can be confident we will remain in His good graces. 
I like to think of two criminals being questioned separately. The interrogator is telling each of them the first one to testify against the other will have the lighter sentence. You can see the concern on each of their faces as they consider the likelihood of their partner remaining true. Christians do not have that problem. If they tell the truth in all circumstances, God will reward them for their actions.

Ephesians 4:14-16 (NKJV): that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The apostle Paul knows it is not always advantageous to speak the truth, and that can result in well-meaning people altering the word of God. However, altering the word of God means you are no longer speaking the word. It means you have separated yourself from Him and created another body with you as the head. Paul emphasizes the fact that Christians are bound to the head of Christ. It is Christ who sets the example, and it is obedience to Him that creates growth. The imagery of being joined and knit together by our individual contributions, yet the contribution benefits the group is powerful. When we compromise the truth for personal gain, we are negatively affecting the entire body. By trusting in the promises of God, we can remain confident obedience is always the right answer. Even if the situation looks dim, compromising the word of God is never the answer. Be confident your heavenly advocate will always advocate for you (Hebrews 13:5).