Sunday, September 16, 2012

Rejoicing in the Truth

Read: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.” – 2 Peter 1:20  

Today’s world is full of opinions, philosophies, pathways and decisions. From birth we humans are bombarded with various viewpoints from which to choose our truth. From commercials to teachers we get our ears full of an assortment of perspectives. Therefore, it is necessary for us to find a reliable source of truth.

God is the embodiment of reality, His character is perfect and His t stands the test of time. We gain understanding into all the questions of life once we come to respect the knowledge of who God is and why He created mankind (Proverbs 9:10). His Word is the only real and lasting Truth. Through the centuries of time, other books are discarded as obsolete, but the Word of God is still the best selling book in the world.

Biblical Truth is everlasting (Psalm 119:160). It is based on the fact that God is true (Psalm 25:10; Isaiah 65:16; Titus 1:2). The Word of God is living, active and sharper than any two-edged sword. It pierces the Believer so deeply that it actually divides our carnal soul – our mind, will and emotions – from our divine spirit. The Word judges the thoughts and intentions of our soul and shows us the difference between the truth, human reasoning and completely erroneous thinking (Hebrews 4:12).

God revealed Himself to the world in the person of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3). Jesus is God in human form. Jesus is the Word and He became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He lived as the way, truth and the life (John 14:6). He was not swayed by what anyone thought of Him (Matthew 22:16). Many people in His day recognized Jesus as The Truth and that He taught the way of God openly (Matthew 22:16). We too can come to know Jesus as The Truth. He revealed to us God’s divine plan for our life. If we simply read His Word and rely on His promises (John 16:12-14), He leads us into all truth (John 14:6; 17:17).

If we exchange The Truth for the lie spun by Satan’s deception and propagated by his disciples in the world, we stop seeing life in absolutes and start looking at behavior through the eyes of situational ethics (2 Timothy 4:4). This philosophy states, “If it feels right in my heart and if I have peace about it, then I can do it.” There is one huge problem with this belief system. The human heart is the most deceitful of all things. It is desperately wicked and we cannot comprehend how untrustworthy it really is (Jeremiah 17:9). Grace and Truth only come to us through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).

Once we know The Truth, not only mentally but spiritually as well, God calls us to walk in it (1 John 3:18). As we abide in the Word as God’s true disciples, we will know the truth and His truth will set us free (John 8:31-32). Once we hear and believe this Word of Truth, which is the gospel of our salvation, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is our guarantee of receiving our heavenly inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). We are the first fruits of all God’s creatures, brought forth by the word of His Truth (James 1:18).

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, if we say we have no sin, or that we have no need for a Savior, we deceive ourselves. If Jesus does not live in us, we are among all men most miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19; 1 John 1:8). As the God of our salvation, You lead us into Your Truth and teach us the things You want us to understand (Psalm 25:5). Your light and truth lead us throughout our lifetime and bring us to worship at the very throne of God for eternity (Psalm 43:3).

Thought for the Day:
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart with yours, so that I fear your name. - Psalm 86:11