Does God Protect His Word (part 9)?
Romans 3:3-4, "What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, 'THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.'"
The past couple of weeks we've been considering the assertions that God's Word has been changed or has been corrupted. This assertion is often heard during moments of doctrinal discussion concerning the Bible itself, the nature or character of God, the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, the nature of the church and eschatology, to name a few areas. While we are right up against other questions concerning inerrancy, inspiration and authority of scripture, the main point I am attempting to hold is that God protects His Word. The only reason the subject of change or corruption is breached is because one will not come under the authority of scripture and instead provides an alternative that is more in line with his idol--God made in man's image.
Oftentimes I have conversations with people that soon reveal, very simply, they would rather not believe God. Sure, they believe IN God, or there IS a God, but they choose not disbelieve what He says about Himself, man, sin, the Savior, repentance, deliverance, obedience and faith in general. Sadly, when they die, they are convinced that God owes them the best, though they have chosen to disbelieve Him because of what He has said in His Word.
Sure, they believe they are "good people" but they don't believe they will be judged by God's standard of holiness as seen in the Ten Commandments. When God says that idolaters, liars, thieves, adultererers and murderers have a place in the Lake of Fire, on what basis is the announcement made? When God says that false teachers are identified by inordinate worship, covetousness, even rebellion against parents and authority, what clues are there the Ten Commandments is NOT on His mind? Just because someone does not believe does not change reality.
Once I was talking with a guy on the sidewalk downtown who told me that he did not believe that God would judge according to His holiness, nor did he believe there was a hell. I asked him to come with me and he followed as I stood on curb and watched for traffic. "Where are we going?" he asked. I told him we were going to stand in the middle of the road together and deny the existence of trucks. For some reason, he would not join me. I joined him back on safer ground and told him that a day is coming when all he has denied will nail him right between the eyes.
Consider this, from a reverse angle: not far from where I live a large plot of ground is being cleared of trees. From time to time a logging truck pulls out and barrells down the road with it's load. When pedestrians see it coming, they step out of the way for obvious reasons. If anyone were hit by a truck like that, the effects would be noticable, to say the least. This is the gospel of the unchanging Word of God. When we meet it head on, we can either be changed by it, or step out of the way and avoid it. If we meet it, it means that we must let go of life as we knew it.
God's Word is threatening to the world because it calls for radical change, but disbelieving God does not make it go away.
