God Unfaithful? That Would Be Unthinkable
Rom 3:3,4 GW What if some of them were unfaithful? Can their unfaithfulness cancel God's faithfulness? (4) That would be unthinkable! God is honest, and everyone else is a liar, as Scripture says, "So you hand down justice when you speak, and you win your case in court."
What if some of them were unfaithful? What if some of the circumcised Jews were unfaithful to God and His Word? What if some professing baptized Christians are unfaithful to God and His Word? Can that change the faithfulness of God or His Word?
Can their unfaithfulness cancel God's faithfulness? I don’t think so. (4) That would be unthinkable!
This seems like a silly question from Paul, but in light of fairly recent developments in the church it is a question that I think needs to be answered. Through the years the Lutheran church has held that the number one place to look for guidance in the Christian life and faith has been the Scriptures. First and final authority has always rested there.
When the Scriptures are silent on a matter we look to church tradition. When tradition is silent we look to reason, and when reason is silent we look to experience.
In Luther’s day, tradition had risen above the authority of Scripture and we saw indulgences granted for tidy sums of money to pay for the forgiveness of sins. The Rosary, praying to the saints, purgatory, all became traditions that have no scriptural basis.
Luther spoke strongly against indulgences and was put on trial by the Roman Catholic Church. As he stood before his accusers Luther said, “ I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason....I cannot and I will not recant anything. Luther was relying first and foremost on the faithfulness of God’s Word!
During the age of Enlightenment reason raced to the forefront and was elevated above scriptural authority. What a disaster that has been as reason gave birth to evolution, (PTL by the way, for the work of Creation Scientists who are now using reason to subdue it)
But look what such reasoning has done. Evolution led to the devaluing of human life, after all, if we all emerged from a swamp, where is the specialness that comes from being created in the image of God? Life suddenly becomes pretty cheap.
The next logical step from evolution was to buy into the lie of birth control. Whereas the church did not buy into birth control until the 1930's, evolution made it an easy lie to buy. Married couples were no longer being used of God to bring more of His image bearers into the world, nope, now children were bearing the image of swamp soup.
And some of that swamp soup wasn’t real desirable to the likes of Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, who saw birth control as a way to help cleanse the race.
Sanger embraced eugenics, the selective breeding of humans. Sanger wrote that the aim of birth control was “more children from the fit and less from the unfit.” (Ties in nicely with the theory of evolution doesn’t it, survival of the fittest.)
Sanger called for, along with other things, banning the immigration into this country of “certain aliens whose condition is detrimental to the stamina of the race, such as the feebleminded.” She also called for giving the biologically defective groups in the U.S. the choice of sterilization or segregation.
Where did birth control and eugenics lead? They led to Adolph Hitler. When God allowed Adolph Hitler to rise to power He was just giving us what we wanted. God seemed to be saying, “You want control? Let Me show you what control looks like. Let me show you where the philosophy of the survival of the fittest will lead. And we saw it at Buchenwald, Dachau, Auschwitz, and Treblinka.
Thankfully Hitler was defeated and the world saw this chapter of the devastating effects of eugenics come to an end. Over six million Jews exterminated and who knows how many more “unfit and unwanted ”were removed.. All bearers of the image of God. But the world and the church still didn’t get the connection and birth control was still embraced and it led to the next great travesty....abortion.
If life does not bear God’s image and birth control fails, why not eliminate the “contents of the uterus” and move on? We are at over 40 million aborted babies and counting and who knows how many psychologically damaged men and women who had fallen for the lie, and then realize what they have done.
Oh where would we be without the faithful forgiveness and mercy of God, who forgives all sins through Jesus Christ.
By the way folks, unless we turn this ship of “reason” around, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Eugenics is already rearing it’s ugly head again with selective breeding in petri dishes. Euthanasia will soon be upon us as we seek to relieve society of the burden of old people and the infirmed.
Babies will be created for the use of the spare parts they can provide their selfish parents and then destroyed. Spare parts will be a good idea because society will reach a point where it will be wise to be as close to perfect as possible, lest you face the possibility of being euthanised.
The newest kid on the block as it relates to elevating itself above the authority of Scripture is experience. “If it feels right, do it.” That’s why the divorce rate is so rampant in the church today. If Scripture were elevated above experience, there would far fewer divorces. Speaking on what marriage should be, Jesus said in Matt. 19:4-6
Mat 19:4-6 GW Jesus answered, "Haven't you read that the Creator made them male and female in the beginning (5) and that he said, 'That's why a man will leave his father and mother and will remain united with his wife, and the two will be one'? (6) So they are no longer two but one. Therefore, don't let anyone separate what God has joined together."
This is the Scriptural standard for marriage, “and will remain united” but that’s not the case in the church today, and I realize that I am talking to some divorced people. Let me say this to you.
Don’t beat yourself up over it, but don’t ignore it or justify it either, if you were in the wrong, just confess it and receive God’s free faithful gift of forgiveness and move on, learning from what you know now and applying it to your new marriage!
And if you are considering divorce, or if you haven’t remarried seek to elevate Scripture above your experience and seek to rectify the situation!
Then we have fornication, having sex outside the bounds of marriage. “Everyone’s doing it” (experience) “It feels so right!” (experience.) But God’s Word says in 1 Cor 6:18 that we are to flee from fornication!” and that fornicators will not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor 6:9,10)
So what is the fornicator to do? Same thing we all do with sin. Take it to our faithful God receive His forgiveness and turn from that sin.
Then there’s homosexuality. A hot topic of debate in many mainline denominations. Once again we see that experience is being elevated above scriptural authority.
This really came to light for me recently as I was looking at a study that the ELCA is currently doing in some of their churches dealing with the issue of sexuality and homosexuality.
Let me quote from one of their conclusions...”......there is general agreement that the Bible has nothing positive to say about same-sex intercourse. For some homosexual people among us this negative biblical evaluation .....
Hold on here. “Negative biblical evaluation?” Whatever happened to “conviction of sin?” Has the Big Brother of George Orwell’s novels moved from the state into the church to twist the language, to distort the truth, to justify sin?
“For some homosexual people among us this negative biblical evaluation of their sexuality has been a source of pain (is not all awareness of sin a source of pain? At least it should be, if not our pain, it certainly should at least remind us of Christ’s pain!) and sometimes an incentive to seek help in changing their sexual orientation. (And there are some marvelous support groups out there like Exodus International and Keys, and Broken Yoke and Reclamation ministries that can be of help.)
“For other homosexual people among us their experience of themselves does not seem to correspond with what the Bible calls an abomination. (Since their experience doesn’t correspond with what the Bible says...the Bible must be wrong!)
They appeal to the experience of their own sexuality as natural for them and to their devotion to Christ and commitment to a faithful and loving union. Others looking at the Bible are persuaded by this appeal.”
Experience has trumped the authority of scripture. What Bible are they looking at? “Did God really say an abomination?” Those “others” looking at their Bible apparently were persuaded to ignore the “abomination” part.
The homosexual’s so called devotion to Christ is also based on experience, on how they feel and certainly not on His Word, because Jesus said “if you love Me you will keep My commandments. Furthermore sexual sin is a mark of a lack of devotion to God!
1Th 4:3 GW It is God's will that you keep away from sexual sin as a mark of your devotion to him.
The Bible is the faithful Word of God from cover to cover and 1 Cor 6:9,10 makes it clear that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God. So what are they to do? Same thing we must all do all our “negative biblical evaluations,” ( sins) . Take them to the faithful forgiver, receive His forgiveness and turn from our “negative biblical evaluations”
One of my responsibilities as your pastor is to declare the faithfulness of God and His Word to you.
Psa 40:9-10 GW I will announce the good news of righteousness among those assembled for worship. I will not close my lips. You know that, O LORD. (10) I have not buried your righteousness deep in my heart. I have been outspoken about your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not hidden your mercy and your truth from those assembled for worship.
I am not to hide God’s mercy or truth, gospel or law under tradition, reason, or experience. I am to declare it as above all things!
One of your responsibilities is to declare the faithfulness of God to your children, the next generation!
Psa 89:1b-2 GW I will tell about your faithfulness to every generation. (2) I said, "Your mercy will last forever. Your faithfulness stands firm in the heavens."
God is faithful! His Word is to be completely trusted!
Num 23:19 GW God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn't change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it.
Jesus is called the Amen and the faithful witness in the Book of Revelation, and there is not one perjurous statement in His faithful Word. He is the amen, the yea yea so shall it be, the Alpha and the Omega, the first and last letter and every word in between!
We talk about the beauty of the earth and it’s durability, we see the season’s changing and they do it faithfully year after beautiful year, but there is something even more faithful! God and His Word!
Mat 24:35 GW The earth and the heavens will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
Friends may abandon us, spouses may abandon us, even our own mothers and fathers may abandon us, but God is faithful and he will never abandon you!
Psa 27:10 GW Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will take care of me.
Heb 13:5b GW God has said, "I will never abandon you or leave you."
One of the last things Jesus said before He ascended into heaven is “I am with you always even to the end of the age!”
And who can forget the words from Isa 49:15,
“Can a woman forget her nursing child? Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb? Although mothers may forget, I will not forget you.
A double blessing here! God’s bond to you is stronger than that of a mother to her nursing child. Blessing number two is yes, it’s a sad fact that many mothers have indeed lacked compassion on the child in their womb and they have aborted them. Though they were forgotten by their mother, this passage says God will not forget them....oh what comfort for the post abortive mom or dad!
The only time God will forsake you is if you forsake Him. If you turn away from the faith, he will turn away from you, but even that proves His faithfulness for He has said,
2 Ch 15:2b GW The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you will dedicate your lives to serving him, he will accept you. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.
That great Christian Hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” comes from Lamentations 3:21-23
Lam 3:21-23 GW "The reason I can still find hope is that I keep this one thing in mind: (22) the LORD'S mercy. We were not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited. (23) It is new every morning. His faithfulness is great.
Did you catch that? His faithfulness is a great source of hope. Are you struggling with hope? Maybe you’re hanging your hat on the wrong peg! Hang it on His faithfulness! Then take comfort from this passage, His mercies are new every morning! They return just as sure as the sun rises in the east!
Oh I must proclaim his faithfulness! I cannot be silent.
Deu 7:9 GW Keep in mind that the LORD your God is the only God. He is a faithful God, who keeps his promise and is merciful to thousands of generations of those who love him and obey his commands.
Psalm 119:86 “All Your commandments are faithful!
1Co 1:9 GW God faithfully keeps his promises. He called you to be partners with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (And if you respond to His call in truth and in spirit, you’re in because of His faithfulness!)
Are you facing trials and temptations?
1Co 10:13 GW There isn't any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape.
But the problem is when the going gets rough, we abandon God, and God says OK, you’re on your own! But if you stick with Me and endure, I will show you the way out!
1Th 5:23-24 GW May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole being-spirit, soul, and body-blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. (24) The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
He will keep you blameless!
How can I be blameless, I’m a sinner! That’s true! But look at the faithful promise of 1 Jn.1:9:
1Jo 1:9 GW God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we've done wrong.
EVERYTHING! Let that sink in a while! EVERYTHING
The Prodigal son abandoned his father, and his father let him go, he released him to the world, but you know what? He remained faithful at his lookout post. He faithfully went out on the veranda and watched the road for any sign of dust kicking up on the road. Hoping that it would be his son.
And one day the prodigal who had come to the end of himself and the ways of the world started kicking up some of that dust. And his father saw him at a great distance because he was faithfully looking for him. And when he saw him....he didn’t muse to himself, “oh my son’s coming home.” He didn’t amble down the driveway to meet him, no the Bible says he ran to meet him, put his arms around him and kissed him.”
And his son said, “Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and you. I don’t deserve to be called your son anymore.”
And here’s how the Father responded: “
Luk 15:22-24 GW "The father said to his servants, 'Hurry! Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. (23) Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let's celebrate with a feast. (24) My son was dead and has come back to life. He was lost but has been found.' Then they began to celebrate.
Oh I know this story well for I was that prodigal! And I am compelled to speak of my heavenly Father’s great faithfulness! I cannot be silent!
He was waiting for me to come to my senses. He was watching for me when I did, and the prayer of the prodigal was all that I had and all that it took to get me back into His good graces....”Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and you. I don’t deserve to be called Your son anymore... and He took me back into the family, and I’m here today as a testimony of His faithfulness.
I don’t know where you are with your relationship with God right now. Maybe you’re a young person and your contemplating walking out that gate of the estate. I plead with you don’t do it! For you will bring great pain to yourself and to others. Some walk out and unlike the Prodigal, do not come to their senses and they never return, doomed to eternity in hell.
Maybe you’ve already left and are a block away...even now the Father is faithfully waiting and watching and hoping for you to return...the sooner the better.
Maybe you’re miles away and have been gone for years. I tell you that even now God is still faithfully waiting for you to return.
Or maybe you’ve never left, but you have never partaken of His wonderful faithful promises!
There are far too many promises to mention here today. The challenge is to get into the Word and find them, and then act on them trusting in God’s faithfulness.
I don’t care where you are in your relationship with God, know this! Your unfaithfulness, or your lack of faith will never negate His faithfulness! He is waiting for you to tap into it. He has promised to save all who will call on His name.
Can your unfaithfulness cancel God’s faithfulness? That would be unthinkable. Tap into His faithfulness! Call on Him today!
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