God is without iniquity

If we think about the loyalty of God, we should not allow ourselves to be guided by human conceptions. God is Supreme (Psalm 50:14) and simultaneously faithful, as we read in Psalm 86:14: “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” If we want to know more about God, we must ask ourselves who the LORD is? His characteristics are His essence. God is love (1 John 4:8). And to believe in faith in the Almighty, to recognize the Eternal Father in Heaven, to perceive Him and sense His close presence, only then we can reach a level of a purified relationship. We comprehend this, because we humans can be in a similar relationship in friendship, marriage and Christian fellowship with one another. Love is also always an act of will, not only of feelings. Especially if the relationship is a lasting one (humanly speaking). How much more then must the love of God be, which prepares the way to eternity for those who believe? Jesus Christ prayed a high-priestly prayer in John 17:22-24 to His Father: “And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.'' God's loving faithfulness surpasses all limitations. Jesus Christ is God (Revelation 1:17-18) and as such He has reconciled Himself with Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). The forgiveness of sin is the greatest proof of love that there is. Jesus gave His life for His friends. And God is precisely as loyal and just when it comes to forgiving us our sins, even after our conversion (1 John 1:9). We have a treasure (salvation) in earthen vessels (our body) and are still awaiting the physical redemption which will be ushered in with the return of Jesus.

Also here, the faithfulness of God is revealed, who gave us everything in Jesus – Romans 8:29-32 “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” We are not, in ourselves, able to live righteously or are artificially kept righteous, but God knows our weaknesses and fickleness – therefore He helps us. When we become adopted children of God, God draws us to Him and disciplines us as a loving Father would, in love – Hebrews 12:6-8 “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Again here, God will remain faithful and bring us to the end goal of our faith, whilst also protecting us from ourselves. God is faithful – even when believers are not always faithful (Romans 3:3; 2 Timothy 2:13). It is the work of God when a person comes to true saving faith and receives salvation (John 6:29). And that God enables us through His Holy Spirit (whom we also always ask specifically to reveal those things to us which God, in His Word instructs us) is also a proof of the faithfulness and love of God. Without Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5) but with HIM everything, in accordance to God's will (John 15:7). Therefore we may (should) ask specifically in prayer.

Jörg Bauer