Romans 3:3-4 What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar.

I find it interesting that where the NIV says “did not have faith,” the Japanese says “were not faithful.” English obviously copies Greek in linking those two words etymologically. (In Japanese the characters are completely different, though the sounds are similar.) Biblically speaking, you can’t really be faithful without faith, because God is the ground of all being, and without Him, nothing is true. That is what Paul is pointing out here. Attributing human weaknesses to God is a logical fallacy, as well as simply being stupid. However, we demonstrate an immense capacity for stupidity! That no more negates God’s wisdom that our impatience negates His patience, or our weakness His strength. We have the tendency to think we’re the center of everything, when God is not only the center, He’s above and beyond everything. That’s why Psalm 14:1 is so true when it says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Denying God removes the underpinning for everything else, and is a major reason for why there is so much stupidity in the world today. Nothing we can say or do could possibly negate God, but many people put a lot of energy into trying to do so anyway.

I personally find this reality very encouraging, because it is a big comfort to know that God has none of my failings. I think, every once in a while, that if I were God, I would have squashed me a long time ago! However, God is immensely patient and merciful, and I am profoundly grateful. The difficulty is, many of the people around me are not ready to acknowledge their own weaknesses and failings, and so they decline to open their hearts in submission to God to receive His grace. I speak the Gospel to them in love but they shrug it off, pretending they don’t need it. That breaks my heart at times. However, I’m not to give up. Remembering God’s patience and persistence with me, I need to be patiently persistent with others. I’ve got to remember that however faithless (in all senses of that word) people might be, God is totally faithful and trustworthy, and so walk in joyful obedience.

Father, living in obedience to You is certainly an adventure! I cannot see the future, or even around the next bend, but I have walked with You enough that I know You are totally reliable. Help me hear You more clearly so that I may be more instantly responsive, to more effectively draw others into right relationship with You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!