Is God A Liar?

Okay, we all know what the answer to that question SHOULD be. But what do our relationships say about the truthfulness and dependability of God? Bottom line, it really isn’t God’s honesty that is in question. Rather, it is our understanding and faith in His Word that needs to be examined.

It is very easy for us to fall back on habits, most of them bad, when it comes to our relationships. If you don’t speak to me, then I won’t speak to you. If you are mean to me, then I will be mean to you. If you hurt me, I will try to hurt you back. Instead of taking the high road and apologizing even though “technically” it was not your fault, we stubbornly refuse to let anyone “get over” on us. Many of us would rather see a relationship that once was good deteriorate into a relationship that is now bad. Far too often, we let our hurts and bitterness and pride keep us from making the first move to restore a once treasured relationship.

If all of this is true, then what did Jesus die on the cross for? When we have so many relationships that are unfulfilling or annoying or reactionary, then we are in essence calling God a liar!

Most of us are “smart” enough to level that accusation behind His back. We ain’t crazy enough to say it to His face! But the truth of the matter is, the way we conduct ourselves in our interactions with others hints at our doubts in the redeeming power of the God we serve.

I encourage all of us Christian singles to do the little and the big things to develop and sustain more relationships that are positive. This means we have to be willing to forgive even when the other person shows no interest in being forgiven. We have to love people even more intensely when they are at their most unlovable. We should be willing to risk being humiliated or talked about or rejected because of our attempts to make a new friend or reunite with an old one. Sending that email may not be your thing, so pick up the phone. Taking someone out to dinner may not be possible, but buying a card expressing positive thoughts is something most of us can afford. Turning the cheek and learning to count to seventy times seven may be a bit much, but we can learn to be more patient and more forgiving in our relationships. Doing “this” may not be what you want to do, so consider doing “that”.

As we approach the end of one year and the beginning of another; I pray that we will turn from our ways that imply that God’s desire to keep us from falling is just another empty promise.