Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 5
October 22, 1953
NUMBER 24, PAGE 11a

Let God Be True

Jesse M. Kelley, Port Arthur, Texas

INTRODUCTION: This does not mean that every man is a liar. The absolute veracity of God does not necessarily infer the falsehood of man. There may be, and often is an opposition between their testimony; and here we are not to hesitate for a moment by whose claims we shall be decided.

If the whole world were on one side, and He on the other, "Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar." Examples: The preaching of Noah. Elijah on Mt. Carmel.

If we receive the witness of men the witness of God is greater. (1 John 5:9) This is undeniable from four admissions.

  1. The first regards the ignorance of man and the wisdom of God. (1 Cor. 3:18-20; 1:19,20)
    1. Man is fallible. He not only may err, but he is likely to err. (Matt. 22:19; 1 Tim. 6:20,21)
    2. He may be deceived by:
      1. False teachers. (Acts 20:29,30; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1-3.)
      2. Outward appearances.
      3. By the report of others.
      4. By his own reasoning. (Isa. 55:8,9; Jer. 10:23)
  2. The second regards the mutability of man and the unchangeableness of God. (Heb. 6:17,18)
    1. Adam fell from his original condition.
    2. Many angels kept not their first estate. (2 Pet. 2:4)
    3. Look at man. He is ever changing. New views gender new feelings, and these new pursuits. What pleases today may offend tomorrow. No one is unchangeable, but God changes not. What he thinks today, he thought yesterday, and will think tomorrow. (James 1:17; Matt. 24:35)
  3. The third regards the weakness of man and the all-sufficiency of God. (1 Cor. 1:25)
    1. Man may threaten in fury, but be unable to execute. He may promise sincerely, and his promise be vain words, but not so with God. (2 Cor. 3:4,5; 12:9)
      1. Man is weak; he is unstable. He must depend upon the sufficiency of God.
  4. The fourth regards the sinfulness of man and the rectitude of God.
    1. Man goes astray from the beginning of his accountability. He often knowingly deceives.
      1. How far from truth was the sentiment of Jonah when he said: "I do well to be angry, even unto death."
      2. How lamentable was the falsehood of Abraham, when he said of his wife, "She is my sister."
      3. There is no greater perjury than that of Peter, when he sware, "I know not the man."
    2. God is incapable of a wrong bias; He cannot be tempted to deceive. (Num. 23:19; Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18)

CONCLUSION: Yes, "the witness of God is greater than the witness of men."

Let God be true in His doctrines, and let us receive them. Let God be true in His threatenings, and let us receive them and flee from the wrath to come. Let God be true in His promises, and let us be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Let God be true in His predictions, and, whatever difficulties stand in the way, believe that the whole council of God shall free us from our weakness and sin.