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“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said and will He not do it? Or has he spoken, and will He not make it good?” Numbers 23:19

“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.” Hebrews 6:18

“In the hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 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,” Titus 1:2, 3

“While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3:13

We have just passed through a season of chaos in politics. A president was elected as well as other positions in congress. Through it all we have been witness to a variety of political tactics employed to gain the vote of the populace. One of the most widely used is that of promising particular actions. “Vote for me and all of your wildest dreams will come true” – Pedro Sanchez (from the movie Napoleon Dynamite.) As we are all too familiar with, most of these promises are empty. We know that for the most part nothing will ever come of them and that they cannot be counted on. Unfortunately, we are quite callous to this and continue with our lives in a kind of cynicism that nothing will change and not to get our hopes up. This creates an environment of disbelief that infects our ways of thinking and interacting with others. We begin to suspect the meaning behind statements of public figures, friends, and maybe even family. Being awash in such a society of suspicion and distrust we assume the worst as we wish we could hope for the best. 

Now contrast that experience with the season we are now entering, that of Christmas. Pastor Isaac has been sharing, wonderfully, the truth of the Advent season as we celebrate the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. There are over three hundred promises, made by God, through His prophets and each one has been realized in Jesus. God is always true, as it is His character to only be truthful, He cannot be otherwise. Each one of these great promises build on each other and paint an incredible portrait of a Savior who loves us dearly and paid the ultimate price to get us back. As Pastor Isaac shared these prophecies, we also look to a glorious future and a returning King. As each of the promises concerning His first coming were completed in their entirety, so will each of the promises regarding His second coming. No saying one thing and then doing another. No grand promises made, only to go halfway. No sleight of hand and then delivering something that is different than what was promised. Each and every promise will be completed – down to the tiniest detail and in the fullest measure. We can count on and rest in the faithfulness of a God who cannot lie.

As an example, we can look at the created world for insight into God’s nature. What things do we always count on to be consistent? The sun rising and setting, gravity, and all the physical laws that govern our physical world. These have been put in place by our Creator and have always been the same for eons. No one questions if the sun will rise in the morning; no one wonders if gravity will continue to keep my feet firmly planted on the earth or if an apple tree will produce apples and not potatoes. We just accept it to be so, because we have never had any reason to believe it would change. Yet why do we doubt God? Do we have any reasonable evidence that what He says or promises will not be so? No. He is consistently and forever faithful. 

What we do have is an enemy who is the very opposite. He is the father of lies and cannot tell the truth. Jesus speaking to the religious leaders of His day says this in John 8:44 –  ^“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” He is the one who tells half-truths, who attempts to deceive and who casts doubt on the goodness of our Heavenly Father. Human beings are also capable of lying. We ourselves have been involved in telling half-truths or allowing deceptions to run freely, if it benefits us. 

So don’t be surprised at a world that lives on lies and deception. That is the natural order of a fallen world. But be encouraged that we have a heavenly Father who cannot lie and who will always be truthful and who is Truth. Meditate on that truth for a while and then take a good look at the amazing promises we have been given in His Word. I guarantee you will find the light of His presence overpowering the dark deceptions of this world, and you will be satisfied.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

James 1:5 (NASB)

The epistle of James seems to me as a New Testament book of Proverbs. It is notable for the frequent use of short, punchy sentences, each filled with a sermon’s worth of meaning and application.

Are you familiar with any of these things? Jealousy. Selfish ambition. Relational landmines. Anger. Partiality, bias, discrimination. Coldness; lack of empathy and compassion. Hateful speech and control of the tongue. Infighting.

Yes, these are all-too-common struggles, from family dynamics, to the workplace, amid our engagement in society and yes, even within the church. Why is this? It is no news flash. Human nature is sinful. None of us get a free pass to spotless living, regardless of how good we think we are in the recesses of our own minds.

James doesn’t go long on diagnosis and short on prescription. He lays out our issues and gets right to the answers. What will bring true life change to these sinful patterns? Where do we find lasting heart-change? Nope, it’s not in more seminars, or a few more medicines, or changing locations and leaving your problems behind.

Since James is addressing believers (:2; “brethren”) bear with me as I point out the obvious: of first priority is our need for a relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior. Coming to Him is the starting point. This must be a good reminder for us, in our heart for the unsaved. It is pointless to steer an unbeliever to adopt Christian attitudes and behaviors when they lack the Spirit of Christ within. The Word to an unregenerate person is incomprehensible—for the Spirit of God is not resident to enlighten their heart (see 1 Cor. 2). They need Him.

So the essential need is in trusting in Jesus’ work for their salvation. To recognize that their sin-debt is paid in full, and there is nothing else of greater priority than coming to Him. Then, the life lived is for His Glory, a life that cannot “work” for its salvation, but one that lives to demonstrate, “He is my Savior and Lord, and I respond in loving obedience to Him; His Word and His Spirit.”

So, in his talking to us believers, James is not presenting some great ideas to consider. Not a hint of “weigh this, and maybe put the things you agree with into practice…” Nope. Agreement with the Lord means a confession of my sin, and recognition of Him and His Word as right and holy and non-negotiable for me, the Christ-follower. For a born-again believer, the Word is received by Faith. I do not debate its veracity (its utter truthfulness!) It is not merely something to weigh among other “equal” opinions. The Holy Spirit will reveal its plain meanings and applications for my life, now. I, by faith, have already resolved to do as He directs me. So James, like Proverbs, is not “really good advice”. It is the wisdom of God, for His children.

In the heading verse above, I see that James begins with a big one: “What do you need?” How to answer? Do I need to get my way? To have respect? To gain more power? To receive a carefree, easy life?

No, God states that our big need, as His children, is for His wisdom to fill us. So in the admonition of James 1:5-8 (so please now read it) you will see direct action points, not merely good suggestions to consider: I humbly confess that I lack wisdom. I humbly ask for God’s wisdom. I believe in faith that God hears me, and moves to provide for me. I without wavering agree that I will act on what God reveals to me, without waffling about the directives. God graciously and abundantly gives to me the wisdom that I need (1:5). This admonition goes on to say that we cannot trifle with God and His Word (1:6-8). You cannot dabble in God’s Word, twist it for your own devices, and expect to receive His blessing and approval!

I feel led to state that this is God’s wisdom from above, not “below” (cp. 3:13-16 with 3:17-18). Isn’t it powerful to see that James shows this constant obedience to be rooted in our walking with humility (4:6-10)!

So let me close by encouraging us to dig into this Word. Prayerfully read James, and learn what God says about the common struggles I’ve mentioned above: jealousy, selfish ambition, relational landmines? (3:13-4:12) Anger? (1:19-20) Partiality, bias and discrimination? (2:1-13) Coldness, lack of empathy and compassion? (1:27; 2:14-20; 5:1-6) The tongue and hateful speech? (1:26; 3:1-12; 4:11-12) Infighting? (4:1-2)

See what other things the Lord will grant you wisdom in, as you bow before Him in worship, sit before Him in receiving instruction, and walk before Him in all your ways, “…for wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul…” Proverbs 2:10 (NASB)

“Revenge is a dish best served cold,” is a phrase that has been used in movies and books alike. It speaks of seeking vengeance not in the heat of the moment that caused the hurt, but to wait and later to exact the revenge that is due, usually with calculation and cunning. It is a theme that has spawned many a movie, book, and western tales. We all like a good story. One that has you rooting for the hero and encouraging him or her to endure against all odds. Add in a revenge motif and you have a bestseller. The story of Hugh Glass is one such story and is based on true events. In 1823 Hugh was on a trapping expedition and is betrayed by fellow trappers, robbed and left for dead. After surviving a bear mauling, Hugh endures a 300-hundred-mile trek on foot to return to Fort Kiowa spurred on by his desire to avenge his betrayal. It is a natural human response to seek to hurt someone who has hurt you (i.e., tit for tat.) Though it may be natural, is it ours?

Revenge or retaliation is clearly stated to not be the prerogative of the believer. Though our world and American culture thrives on this worldview, it is not to be so for the Christian. Paul, in Romans 12:16-21, admonishes believers to live lives that are in keeping with their standing as children of the King of Kings. Our relationship with others is clearly laid out to be one of peace, not animosity, as much as it depends on us (Rom. 12:18). Why? Are those who have done wrong to be left alone without any expectation of retribution or punishment? When we suffer wrong at the hands of another, our sense of justice cries out for retribution! Notice what Paul says in Rom. 12:19: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Paul recognizes that we have been wronged, that the hurt is real and our desire for retaliation is a normal reaction. But we are told not to take matters into our own hands. Revenge never solves anything but breeds more retaliation and the cycle goes on and on. Wars have been fought, families destroyed and untold misery unleashed all due to the sin of revenge. Instead, we are told to leave room for the wrath of God. In other words, the vengeance department belongs to God and God alone. He is the only One who will execute justice perfectly, keeping in mind that all sin is ultimately against Him. Our response is to be one of forgiveness and our message to the world is one of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-21). God has already dealt with the sins of all mankind through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus on the cross. Therefore, we leave the issue of restitution to Him, and our duty is to declare the message of reconciliation and do all we can to be at peace with those around us. This is far from the clamor we hear today in our cultural and political world. Cries of vengeance and getting even are growing louder by the day. Though we desire to see justice, justice will be and has been meted out by God Himself. Paul states that by doing good, which includes respecting what is right in the sight of men (if it is not contrary to God’s moral designs) we overcome evil with good. These are truly difficult things to hear and certainly to do, but God “reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” It is His desire that by our right living we will silence the ignorance of foolish men and will bring Him glory.