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GOD IS TRUE

God is true (Isa. 45:19; Jer. 10:10; Jo. 17:3; Rom. 3:4; Rev. 19:11). To affirm that God is true is to affirm three characteristic of God: He is real; He is truthful; and He is faithful.

God is true in that He is real or genuine; “He is what he appears to be” (Erickson, CT, 316). He does not deceive, because He is not different from what He is revealed to be. God cannot be dissimilar from what He is, that is, He cannot be untrue to who He is.

In contrast to the true God are the pagan gods and goddesses who are neither real nor genuine—they are not what they appear to be. Their existence is not true existence, for they do not exist; all such gods are counterfeit. They are not true, but the Christian God is the true God, the only true God (Jer. 10:10; Jo. 17:3).

God is true in that He is truthful—He speaks the Truth (Num. 23:19; I Sam. 15:9; Tit. 1:2; Jo. 17:17, 19; Heb. 6:18; Rev. 21:2; 22:6). Lies and error are contrary to God’s holiness; He does not communicate error nor falsehood. Not only does He not lie, He cannot lie. He is the Absolute Truth, the source of all Truth. And because He is the Absolute Truth, He speaks Truth and reveals Truth, therefore, His Revelation in Jesus and in Scripture is reliable (see: Revelation and Truth).

The truthfulness of God in speaking is an important concept in relationship to Jesus, who is revealed to us as God; whatever He says, that is whatever Jesus says, is true (Jo. 14:6; I Jo. 5:20). His utterances can be accepted as reliable, and He is not to be questioned, but He is to be listened to. If God does not lie and if Jesus is God, then the statements of Jesus must be accepted as truthful. Many affirmations of modern liberal criticism dissipate if the words of Jesus are accepted. The statements of Jesus are not suggestive nor cultural, but are normative.

Also God’s truthfulness is an important concept in relationship to the nature of Scripture. The Scriptures have veracity because of their Author, and the Scriptures claim to be “the word of YHWH.” If the Scriptures are indeed the word of the Lord and if God is truthful, then they must be true because God speaks in the Scriptures. And the Bible anchors its claim to authority in its truthfulness, and its truthfulness is dependent upon its Author (II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 2:21; see: Authority). The statements of the Bible are not suggestive or cultural, but are normative.

Some may feel that this is simple reasoning and is an unacceptable position to assume in the present day. It does not matter if it is simple if it is Biblical; the goal is not to hold an acceptable position, but the Biblical position (see: Source of Truth and Significance of Truth).

God is true in that He is faithful (Ex. 34:6; Num. 23:19; Deut. 7:9; Josh. 23:14; Ps. 24:10; 36:5; Isa. 25:1; 38:18; Lam. 3:22-23; I Cor. 1:9; II Cor. 1:18-22; I Thess. 5:24; II Thess. 3:3; II Tim. 2:13; I Pet. 4:19; I Jo. 1:9; Rev. 19:11). The focus of God’s faithfulness is upon His dependability and reliability—He is trustworthy. His words are sure, as sure as God is; He keeps His promises. They flow from His character and are not dependent upon earthly circumstances.

Because God is faithful, what He says will come to pass. A fitting example is the experience of Abraham and Sarah. God promised a son when both Abraham and Sarah were past the age of natural child-bearing. But God had spoken. What He said came to past, and in their old age He gave to them Isaac (Gen. 21:1-7). He demonstrated His faithfulness, His faithfulness to His promise. God is true.

But YHWH is the true God;
He is the living God
and the everlasting King.
Jer. 10:10


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