Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, (1:1-2).
Today marks the 980th day of our three-year journey, the 980th day of a 1,096-day commitment through every chapter of the Scriptures. And as I read of Him Who Cannot Lie, I was flooded with memories of so many Truths He has revealed about Himself during all those days. And for one brief and crazy moment, I thought about attempting to create a list that would recap each Consider Him caption. Not very realistic, I know.
But we can consider this: every Word we have ever heard Him utter from His God-Breathed Word is Truth; for He Cannot Lie! For 980 straight days we have heard absolute Truth from Him Who Cannot Lie.
And today, He has provided quite enough to consider regarding Him Who Cannot Lie in Paul’s writing to Titus, a Gentile called to pastor and care for the needs of the church on the island of Crete.
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, (1:5).
Paul’s letter leaves little doubt that Titus certainly had his hands full.
“In NT times life in Crete had sunk to a deplorable moral level. The dishonestly, gluttony and laziness of its inhabitants was proverbial (1:12), ” NIV Study Bible.
For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, (1:10-13).
And Titus was called to bring severe reproof on the rebellious and deceivers, that the body of Christ in Crete would be taught the sound doctrine of Him Who Cannot Lie.
holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict, (1:9).
Consider Him Who Cannot Lie
- He Cannot Lie: His promise of eternal life is sure.
- in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, (1:2).
- He Cannot Lie: His Word is manifested at the proper time.
- but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior, (1:3).
- He Cannot Lie: His grace and peace are given through Jesus Christ our Savior.
- To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (1:4).
And to keep His church protected against the immoral influences of the culture, requirements for elders were set in place, each one reflecting the very Person and Life of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Who Cannot Lie.
namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict, (1:6-9).
- He Cannot Lie; He lived Above Reproach: namely, if any man is above reproach
- For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin, (Hebrews 4:15:).
- He Cannot Lie; He was Faithful: the husband of one wife, having children who believe
- but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house… (Hebrews 3:6).
- He Cannot Lie; He was Trustworthy: not accused of dissipation or rebellion
- “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me,” (John 6:38).
- He Cannot Lie; He was Obedient: For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward
- Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, (Philippians 2:8).
- He Cannot Lie; He lived Righteous: not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain
- You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin, (1 John 3:5).
- He Cannot Lie; He was Charitable: hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,
- “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’” (Acts 20:35).
- He Cannot Lie; He is Truth: holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict,
- Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me,” (John 14:6).
How do we respond to Him Who Cannot Lie?
He Cannot Lie and He has said He will never change.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever, (Hebrews 13:8).
And because He will never change, then every Word He has ever spoken about Himself, about creation, about human nature, about the course of coming events, about salvation, and about His God-Breathed Word will also never change. And He has told us that all His Scripture is inspired by Him.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16).
But, if we choose not to believe that all Scripture is inspired and unchangeable, then we put ourselves in the seat of judgment, deciding which parts are still profitable for today. That does not really sound like an inviting place to sit.
However His requirements for ministers in His church body can certainly feel like an absolute impossibility. Especially when we stop to think that we are all called to be His representatives to a lost and dying world.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God, (2 Corinthians 5:20).
But how can anyone really be a reflection of His Person and His Life? Thankfully by His grace, He has provided all we need. His call to minister is His call to live the crucified life by faith in Him Who Cannot Lie.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me, (Galatians 2:20).
He Cannot Lie. Let’s really let that reality sink in. There has not been one moment, not one day spent in His Word that is anything but Perfectly Truthful. And every word we have heard Him speak is ours forever. Oh, that we would become like Mary as we let go of every worry to take hold of what will never be taken away as we take our place at His feet to daily hear from Him Who Cannot Lie.
But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her,” (Luke 10:41-42).
Oh, that we would be so grounded in His Truth, so convinced of His unchanging Word, that we would continually and courageously take hold of the hope we have in Him Who Cannot Lie.
so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast… (Hebrews 6:18-19).
And perhaps today, we might choose a Scripture we need for encouragement in our own particular life situation; then let us commit His Word to memory, and by faith, rest secure that every promise is confirmed and forever settled in Him Who Cannot Lie.
For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him, (2 Corinthians 1:19).
And here’s to seeking His face for thousands of days to come, that we would live in an all-consuming gratitude as we daily sing His praises, intentionally remembering every wonderful work He has done and every marvelous word spoken to us by Him Who Cannot Lie.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
9 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.
11 Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
12 Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments from His mouth, (1 Chronicles 16:8-12).