God cannot lie.

This truth, reiterated in Titus 1:2-3, is more than just a theological concept. It's a lifeline of hope in a sea of uncertainty. "In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began, and at the proper time manifested in His Word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God, our Savior."

Let's unpack and explore its implications for our lives.

The God Who Cannot Lie

In ancient Crete, lying was so commonplace that it was considered a cultural norm. The Greek gods they worshipped were notorious tricksters, often disguising themselves to carry out their schemes. In stark contrast, the God of the Bible stands unique and unwavering in His truthfulness.

It's not just that God chooses not to lie or that He shouldn't lie. By His very nature, God cannot lie. This truth is the bedrock of our faith, the North Star by which we can navigate the often treacherous waters of life.

In a world where advertisers manipulate, news outlets spin narratives, and even our closest friends may deceive us, God remains the one fixed point of absolute truth. As Numbers 23:19 declares, "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"

The Promise Before Time

God's promise of eternal life isn't a hastily concocted Plan B in response to humanity's fall. It's an eternal intention, set in motion before time itself began. The gospel message isn't God scrambling to fix a broken world; it's the unfolding of His perfect plan, conceived in eternity past.

Ephesians 1:4-6 beautifully expresses this: "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace."

The Promise Manifested in Time

God's eternal promise didn't remain abstract. It took on flesh and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ. John 1:14 proclaims, "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."

In Jesus, we see the face of God's promises. We witness hands spread wide on a cross, demonstrating the lengths to which God will go to fulfill His promise. We hear words of grace and truth that resonate through the ages. We behold the empty tomb, proving that God's promises extend beyond death itself.

The Promise Extending Beyond Time

Our hope in God's promises isn't just about the past or the present; It stretches into eternity. The God who cannot lie, who did not lie, also will not lie. This fact should embolden us to "burn the ships" of our doubt and throw ourselves unreservedly into His arms.

Our salvation isn't dependent on our performance or feelings. It's secured by the unchanging character of a God who promised it before time began, demonstrated it in history, and will fulfill it for all eternity.

Living in Light of God's Truthfulness

How should the fact that God cannot lie change our daily lives? It should revolutionize how we approach God's promises. Instead of skepticism or nervousness, we can approach His Word with confidence. When God calls us to forgive, to love our enemies, to seek first His kingdom, we can step out in faith, knowing that the One who calls us is faithful.

This truth should also impact how we view our salvation. We don't need to live in constant fear of losing God's love or favor. Our eternal security isn't based on our fickle hearts but on the unchanging promise of a God who cannot lie.

The Power of Preaching

Finally, we see that God has chosen to manifest His truth through preaching. This isn't just about conveying information; it's about calling people to faith. Preaching is the breath that makes the invisible Word visible. It's the clarion call that cuts through the cacophony of lies in our world and presents the truth of God's promises.

Every time we hear God's Word preached, we're faced with a choice: Will we believe the eternal promises of a God who cannot lie? Will we look to Christ and see the grace of God made tangible? Will we throw our worries, our sins, our very lives onto Him?

In a world of shifting sands, we have an anchor for our souls. Our hope is not in our ability to be faithful, but in the faithfulness of a God who cannot lie. He has not lied. He will not lie.

As we face each new day, may we test His promises daily and find Him faithful. May we live with the confidence that comes from trusting in a God whose every word is true.