“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
The reality of truth has become so hazy in the minds of so many. To many the idea of truth becomes a relative concept … so what might be considered as truth to one person might not be viewed in the same way by another person.
Sadly, there seems to be a growing number of folks who really don’t care about truth, but what will make them feel comfortable and happy.
The need for truth in any field of endeavor or pursuit cannot be denied to one who is a rational and honest person.
Men continue to try and manipulate and work truth to fit their views, plans and goals, and the religious world in general has not been exempted. And as history reveals, what the world takes on as being acceptable … what culture dictates as being ok … finds its unsavory and pernicious way into the body of Christ!
When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6), He was declaring that He is the embodiment of truth! If we want to know what truth really is, then we need to look into the revealed Word of God that provides for us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). All truth is found in Jesus Christ.
Truth has been revealed for us to believe, understand and accept. God want us to apply that which we know from His Word to be truth and that should be enough. But it is not for so many.
We all must understand more fully that truth without a proper application is not valuable at all. Of course it is good to know the books of the Bible, their authors and the time line for when they were written. An understanding of the Scheme of Redemption for each of us does no good without the acceptance of it.
An improper understanding of truth revealed in the Word of God can and will lead to religious confusion, division and heartache to the Father and to His Son who died to set us free from sin!
- Some are just not interested in truth … don’t find yourself in this group!
- Some when they learn the truth decide it’s just not worth the sacrifice … don’t find yourself in this group either!
- Some allow family prejudice, family problems along with so many other distractions, that the truth is outweighed by them … don’t find yourself in this group!
Truth as God has revealed in His Word is not changed by man’s mishandling of it! Truth is not changed by our mismanagement of it either! You see … truth will always remain truth regardless of what others may say or do or think!
T.S. Eliot wrote, “Sometimes things become possible if we want them bad enough.”
And that is exactly what is happening in our secular world and in the spiritual realm as well. The truth as God gave it is sufficient. God doesn’t need our help, suggestions or ideas to help improve who we are to be … the people of God! God doesn’t need our help, suggestions or ideas to help change the church and her worship and work and become what we think she should be!
It is not our responsibility to be what is being called in today’s religious world as “change agents”. This is terminology that is foreign to God, to His Word and we need to be very careful that we not become guilty of the “sin of presumption.” We don’t need to copy or imitate the world. We follow the Commander-in-Chief that made and will one day judge this world!
There is an expression used in economic circles that goes something like this: “let the buyer beware.” This same warning needs to be sounded to the world and to God’s people everywhere. God will not look the other way when men try to manipulate His truth!
“Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge (truth) of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:3-6)
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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