It Is Written: Standing Firm on God's Unchangeable Word!

David Waterhouse -

Anchoring Faith in an Age of Shifting Truth!

In a world where truth is increasingly viewed as subjective and personal, the phrase "It is written" carries profound significance for believers. These three simple words remind us that as Christians, we don't create truth—we receive it from God's unchangeable Word.

Throughout Scripture, this declaration serves as an unshakeable foundation. When Jesus faced Satan's temptations in the wilderness, He didn't engage in philosophical debate or consider alternative perspectives. Instead, He responded decisively: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4 KJV). With each temptation, Jesus wielded Scripture as His weapon, demonstrating that God's Word stands supreme above all other claims.

This pattern teaches us something crucial about our approach to truth in an age of relativism. The Psalmist declared, "Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89 KJV). God's truth isn't evolving or adapting to cultural shifts—it remains fixed and established.

As ambassadors of Christ, we face a sobering reality: the uncompromised gospel message will inevitably offend some while bringing life to others. The Apostle Paul acknowledged this tension: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV). This division isn't a failure of our communication but rather an inherent characteristic of divine truth intersecting with human hearts.

Jesus Himself experienced this reality throughout His ministry. After delivering challenging teachings about being the bread of life, John records that "From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him" (John 6:66 KJV). Did Jesus dilute His message to win back the crowd? No—instead, He turned to the twelve and asked, "Will ye also go away?" (John 6:67 KJV). This moment powerfully illustrates that faithfulness to God's truth takes precedence over universal approval.

This doesn't grant us the license to be harsh or unloving in our communication. Scripture explicitly instructs us to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15 KJV) and to share our faith "with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15 KJV). The manner of our delivery matters, but it should never compromise the substance of the message itself.

Paul's charge to Timothy remains our standard: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV). Notice the balance here—both firmness in content and patience in approach. We're called to speak the full counsel of God without holding back, yet to do so with great patience and careful instruction.

When we water down the gospel to make it more palatable, we rob it of its transformative power. The gospel addresses our true condition—"for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23 KJV)—and offers the only genuine solution: "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24 KJV). If we minimise sin, we inevitably minimise salvation. If we downplay judgment, we correspondingly downplay grace.

Jesus didn't die merely to make us slightly better versions of ourselves or to provide one spiritual philosophy among many. He came with a far more radical purpose: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). His mission was nothing less than to "deliver us from this present evil world" (Galatians 1:4 KJV) and transfer us "from the power of darkness...into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:13 KJV).

The prophets of old understood their role not as message-creators but as faithful messengers. Isaiah didn't conduct focus groups before declaring, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever" (Isaiah 40:8 KJV). Jeremiah didn't soften his warnings to increase his popularity, even when it led to persecution. He recognised that God's Word was "as a burning fire shut up in my bones" (Jeremiah 20:9 KJV) that could not be contained or altered.

As modern-day ambassadors, we represent Christ's kingdom with the same mandate. Paul describes our role clearly: "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV). An ambassador doesn't have the authority to edit the message of the king; their duty is faithful representation.

This doesn't mean we shouldn't contextualise—explaining ancient truths in ways contemporary hearers can understand. Paul himself became "all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22 KJV). But contextualization and compromise are worlds apart. We adapt our approach without altering the message.

What does this mean practically?

First, we must know what "is written" through diligent study. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). We cannot stand on what we do not know.

Second, we speak with both conviction and compassion, remembering that "A soft answer turneth away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1 KJV) while never compromising on substance.

Third, we prepare for rejection, understanding Jesus's warning that "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you" (John 15:18 KJV). This rejection isn't personal but a response to the message itself.

Finally, we trust God with the results, recognising that "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please" (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). Our job isn't to convert anyone—that's the Holy Spirit's work. Our responsibility is to faithfully sow the seed, leaving the growth to God.

In a world of shifting values and relative truths, let us be people who stand firmly on "It is written." As Joshua declared, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Joshua 1:8 KJV).

The written Word of God remains our anchor. It's not always easy, but it's always right...

Key Takeaways:

  • God's Word provides an unchangeable foundation of truth in a world of shifting values
  • Jesus demonstrated using "It is written" as the ultimate response to temptation and challenges
  • Biblical truth will divide audiences - some will reject it while others embrace it
  • We must communicate the truth with both conviction and compassion
  • As ambassadors for Christ, we represent His message faithfully without altering it
  • Faithful proclamation requires diligent study, gracious delivery, readiness for rejection, and trust in God's results