Author: Brett Baggett

ANSWER: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth. (John 4:24; Ps. 147:5; Ps. 90:2; James 1:17; Rev. 4:8; Ps. 89:14; Exod. 34:6,7; 1 Tim. 1:17)

My aim is to give you six points of instruction and six points of application concerning God being infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in truth.

INTRUCTION

I. GOD IS TRUTH

JOHN FLAVAL: “[Truth] is an essential property of [God’s] nature, whereby He is perfectly faithful in Himself, and in all that He hath spoken.”

THOMAS BOSTON: [God’s truth] is that perfection of His nature whereby He is faithful, and in Him there is no falsehood.”

Titus 1:2 “God…never lies.” Q. Why? A. Because He not only tells the truth but He Himself is truth.

Deuteronomy 32:4, “A God of faithfulness (truthfulness) and without iniquity, just and upright is he.”

God the Holy Spirit is called “The Spirit of truth”
John 14:17, 15:26, 16:33 “The Spirit of truth”

God the Son is called “the truth”
John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

THOMAS WATSON: “There is nothing true but what is in God or comes from God.”

THOMAS BOSTON: “All God’s works are true and real things, not chimeras or appearances. He executes true judgements, grants true deliverance, works true miracles; His mercies are true mercies, and His comforts are true comforts. He does not deceive or delude His people with vain shews and appearances.”

II. JESUS IS FULL OF TRUTH

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Jesus says, “Truly” at least 30 times as He teaches, in the book of Matthew alone.

III. GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH

Psalm 18:30 “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 119:60 “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

I) God’s Historical narrative is true. II) God’s prophetic predictions are true. III) God’s commands are true. IV) God’s warnings are true. V) God’s promises are true.

IV. GOD’S TRUTH IS ETERNAL

Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his [truthfulness] to all generations.”

V. GOD’S TRUTH IS UNIVERSAL

John 17:17 “Your word is truth.”

VI. SINNERS SUPPRESS THE TRUTH

Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” 

Q. Why is the wrath of God revealed from heaven against those that suppress the truth?

Romans 1:21 “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him…”

APPLICATION

I. THERE WILL BE WRATH AND FURY FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH

Romans 2:8 “for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”

II. YOU MUST HEAR THE WORD OF TRUTH AND BELIEVE ON JESUS CHRIST

Ephesians 1:13 “In [Christ]…when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”

Q. What is this “gospel of you salvation”?

Ephesians 1:7 “In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”

III. IN CHRIST, YOU MUST KNOW THE TRUTH AND SO BE SET FREE FROM SIN

John 8:31-32 “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

IV. IN CHRIST, GOD SANCTIFIES YOU IN THE TRUTH

John 17:17 “sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.’

V. IN CHRIST, YOU MUST IMITATE GOD IN TRUTHFULNESS

Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor…”

FLAVAL: “Truth and sincerity of heart is that which is most suitable and pleasing to God.”

VI. IN CHRIST, THE PROMISES OF THE GOSPEL ARE AN ACHOR FOR YOUR SOUL, BECAUSE GOD IS TRUTH

Micah 7:19 “He will again have compassion on us;
    he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
    into the depths of the sea.”

God promised Abraham offspring and gave it because He is true.

Romans 4:20-21 “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. “

God promised meat and gave it because He is true.

Numbers 11:23 “And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”

God promised Canaan and gave it because He is true.

Joshua 21:45 “Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.”

God promised rest and fulfilled it because He is true.

1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant.”

God promised the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent and did it because He is true.

Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”    

In Christ, God has promised your justification has done it because He is true.

Romans 4:5 “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”

In Christ, God has promised your sanctification and is doing it because He is true.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”

In Christ, God has promised your glorification and will do it because He is true.

Romans 8:30 “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

In Christ, God has promised to never leave you nor forsake you and will uphold it because He is true. 

Hebrews 13:5 “[God] has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

In Christ, God has promised to take you to be with Himself and will do it because He is true. 

John 14:2-3 “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

In Christ, God has promised this eternal covenant and even swore an oath by Himself. He will not turn back because He is true.

Hebrews 6:19 “We have this (the truthfulness of God) as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.”

ANSWER. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, GOODNESS and truth.

Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

I. GOD IS GOOD

Q. What is goodness? A. Goodness does not mean “the opposite of badness.” Goodness does not mean the same thing as “righteous.” Goodness means kindness, mercy, patience, generosity. That God is good means God is kind, God is merciful, God is patient, God is generous.

Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Exodus 33:18-19 “18 Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory.’ 19 And [The LORD] said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.’”

II. GOD DOES WHAT IS GOOD

Psalm 119:68 “You (LORD) are good and do good.”

I) God does what is good to all mankind.

Matthew 5:45 “[God] makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Acts 14:17 (Paul and Barnabas at Lystra) “[God] did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

II) God especially does what is good to His saints.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Genesis 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Thomas Watson: “To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that all things…shall co-operate for their good…this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over.”

III. GOD DID HIS HIGHEST GOOD BY SENDING HIS SON TO DIE SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE ETERNAL LIFE

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Concerning the word “so” in John 3:16, Thomas Boston: “This is an inexpressible so, a so that all the angels of heaven cannot analyze. None can conceive or understand the boundless extent and dimensions of it.”

C.S. Lewis: “It cost God nothing, so far as we know, to create nice things: but to convert rebellious will cost him crucifixion.”

Q. How must you respond to God’s goodness?

IV. YOU MUST NOT PRESUME UPON GOD’S GOODNESS—IF YOU DO, YOU WILL GO TO HELL

Romans 2:3 “Do you suppose, O man…that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness (goodness) and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s  [goodness] is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.”

Thomas Watson: “Knowledge without repentance will be but a torch to light men to hell.”

V. YOU MUST REPENT AND BELIEVE GOD’S GOOD NEWS—IF YOU DO, GOD WILL FORGIVE AND CLEASE YOU

Mark 1:14-15 “14 Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”

Psalm 86:5 “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”

Isaiah 55:2 “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”

VI. IN CHRIST, YOU MUST IMITATE GOD IN HIS GOODNESS

Luke 6:35 “…love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”

Martin Luther: “Good works do not make a good man — but a good man does make works good.”

VII. IN CHRIST, YOU MUST TELL OTHERS OF GOD’S GOODNESS

Psalm 145:4, 7 “4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. … 7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.”

VIII. IN CHRIST, YOU MUST PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS

1 Chronicles 16:34 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Psalm 135:3 “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!”

Psalm 31:19 “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!”

CONCLUSION

Thomas Boston: “Seek not your happiness in created things and enjoyments, but in an ever-bountiful God, who is the spring and source of all goodness and mercy, and who can fully satisfy all the desires of an immortal soul.”

Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

ANSWER: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, JUSTICE, goodness and truth. (John 4:24; Ps. 147:5; Ps. 90:2; James 1:17; Rev. 4:8; Ps. 89:14; Exod. 34:6,7; 1 Tim. 1:17)

God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in justice.

I. GOD IS JUST

Deuteronomy 32:4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.”

II. GOD DOES WHAT IS JUST

Genesis 18:25 “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”

Psalm 111:7 “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy”

III. GOD LOVES JUSTICE

Psalm 33:5 “He loves righteousness and justice.”

IV. GOD HATES INJUSTICE

Isaiah 61:8 “For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong.”

V. BECAUSE GOD IS JUST HE WILL PUNISH SINNERS

Ezra 9:15 “O Lord, the God of Israel, you are just… Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you…”

Nahum 1:3,6,8 “3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. . . 6 Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him….8 with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.”

VI. THE GOSPEL IS THE GOOD NEWS THAT GOD IS JUST AND THE JUSTIFIER OF THE ONE WHO HAS FAITH IN JESUS

Romans 3:25, 27 “25 God put forward [Jesus] as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. . . 27 so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

VII. IF YOU ARE IN CHRIST, YOU ARE AS SECURE AS CAN BE BECAUSE GOD IS JUST

1 John 1:8-9 “8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”

A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth. (John 4:24; Ps. 147:5; Ps. 90:2; James 1:17; Rev. 4:8; Ps. 89:14; Exod. 34:6,7; 1 Tim. 1:17)

God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in holiness.

I. LET US UNDERSTAND THE HOLINESS OF GOD

I) God is Holy

1 John 1:5 “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

John MacArthur: “God’s holiness is His inherent and absolute greatness, in which He is perfectly distinct above everything outside Himself and is absolutely morally separate from sin.”

Isaiah 6:3 “And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’”

Revelation 4:8 “Day and night [the angels] never cease to say, ’Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’”

God the Father is Holy
Jesus, in John 17:11: “Holy Father.”

God the Spirit is Holy
Again, Jesus ,in John 14:26: “The Holy Spirit.”

God the Son is Holy
Paul, in Acts 13:35 (quoting Psalm 16:10): “You will not let your Holy One see corruption.”

II) God’s Works are Holy

Exodus‬ ‭15:11‬ “Who is like [the LORD], majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”

Psalm 145:17 “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.”

III) God’s written Word is Holy

Romans 1:2 “[Jesus was] promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,”

IV) God’s Commands are Holy

Romans 7:12 “So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”

V) God’s Promises are Holy

Psalm 105:42 “For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant.”

VI) God’s Covenant is Holy

John the Baptist’s father Zechariah calls God’s covenant, “his holy covenant” in Luke 1:72.

II. LET US APPLY GOD’S HOLINESS

I) You will not be accepted by God unless you are perfectly holy

Habakkuk 1:13 “You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?”

II) You will not escape God’s wrath if you stand before Him in your unholiness (sin, wickedness)

Nahum 1:3-5 “3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; . . .5 The mountains quake before him; the hills melt.”

III) You must go to Christ in faith so that God will count you holy

Colossians 1:21-23 “21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel…”

IV) In Christ, you must sanctify God as Holy

Leviticus 10:3 “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’”

V) In Christ, you must be Holy

Leviticus 14:44-45 “44 For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. . . 45 For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” (The Apostle Peter repeats this in 1 Peter 1:16)

VI) In Christ, you must worship God in Holiness

1 Chronicles 16:29 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”

VII) In Christ, you must be motivated toward holiness by God’s promises

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”