Who Is Trustworthy

God is the God of righteousness, holiness, and truth.  There is nothing in the world that does more harm to human beings than unrighteousness, unholiness, and untruthfulness.  Jesus said it was "truth," when known, that would make people free (See John 8:32).  It wasn't a new thought with Jesus.  It was a thought rooted and grounded in the Old Testament.  It was a foundational thought with Moses as he prepared to die and to turn the reigns of leadership of Israel over to the next generation.

           

In his parting messages to the people Moses told them to pay attention to His prophets and to do what they called the people to do.  This raised the question of how to discern whether or not someone was really a prophet of God .  How would the people know a true prophet?  How do we know when someone is really speaking the truth of God?  It is easy to say words, but how do we know they are true words? 

           

For the people of Israel the test was somewhat simple.  If the words spoken by the so-called prophet did not come to pass, that person was determined to be a false prophet, and was not to be followed.  Sometimes it took a while to discern the truth because words were spoken and give opportunity to be fulfilled.

           

Moses said to Israel that God was going to "raise up a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen; you shall listen to him" (Deut. 18:15).  We Christians believe the One God raised up is no one less than Jesus, the Messiah. In John 12:49-50 Jesus said, ^"For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

           

The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He brings to us the Word of the Father.  In John 10:30 Jesus said, "The Father and I are one."  There is no discrepancy between the Son and the Father.  A holy, righteous, and truthful God came among us in Jesus the holy, righteous, and truthful Son.  He can be trusted.  You can build your life on Him.