Can they all be true? In a world full of many religions, doctrines, belief systems, and teachings. And even more in Christianity with thousands of church denominations and contradicting doctrines. What is the truth and why must you follow it?
Study Questions
1. What is truth?
2. Why is the Word of God considered to be the truth?
3. What are the main distinguishing characteristics of the truth?
4. Who is the God of the Bible?
5. Why is the revelation of God important regarding the truth?
6. What results when the truth is not recognized?
7. Why must you follow the truth?
8. Why is the truth not revealed to many?
9. What must you do with the truth?
10. Does it matter what one believes, so long as one is sincere?
11. What should the Church be known for?
Questions and Comments
1. What is truth?
Read John 17:17, Colossians 2:8, Ephesians 4:14, 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 2:18.
Comment
Many believed that the truth is relative, that is, what someone considers to be true may not be true for another person, hence there is no absolute truth. But, is this really correct, for those who carry the bible and profess to believe in what it says regarding our beliefs, doctrines, teachings, and how we are to conduct our lives? Can the truth be relative regarding the word of God? To answer this all-important question, we must be able to define the word Truth according to the scriptures.
The Messiah in John 17 verse 17 declared, “Your word is truth”. This means the word of God (the scriptures, the Bible) defines what is really true. Thus, if you want to know whether anything, which pertains to life and godliness, is true, you must align it with the word of God. If you want to know if a doctrine is right or wrong, then check it with the word of God. The word of God is the standard of living and operation, not only for the church but also for the world. The Scripture is God’s given constitution, instruction manual, map, guide, and law because it tells us what is true and false. Truth can, therefore, be defined as the correct knowledge and application of the word of God. The evidence that we know the truth is not departing from what God has said or written in the scriptures, 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 2:18. Truth is not about what we invented or imagined (doctrines and philosophies of men) but about what is written in the scriptures. The truth is, following what the Messiah says because He is the embodiment of truth. His words are the standard and pattern of how we should live.
Some of the words that are synonymous with the truth are standard, accuracy, honesty, facts, actuality, exactness, originality, sincerity, and so on. These are the words we can use to describe the scriptures in its original form. The word of God tells us the actual state of a matter regarding life and godliness.
John 17:17
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
2. Why is the Word of God considered to be the truth?
1. The Word of God is God. John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
2. The word of God bears the same attributes as God.
a) As God is faithful, His word is faithful.
Deuteronomy 7:9, “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;”
2 Corinthians 1:18, “But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No.”
Psalms 119:86a, “All Your commandments are faithful…”
b) As God is perfect, His word is perfect.
Matthew 5:48, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Psalms 19:7, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;”
c) As God is truth, His word is truth.
Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.”
Psalms 31:5, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.”
John 17:17, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
Psalms 119:160, “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”
Psalms 119: 142, 151, “Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are truth.”
d) As God is righteous, His word is righteous.
Psalms 119:137, “Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments.”
Psalms 11:7, “For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.”
Psalms 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works.”
Psalm 119:172, “My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.”
e) As God is pure, His word is of God is pure.
1 John 3:3, “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”
Psalms 119:140, “Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it.”
Psalms 19:8b, “…The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;”
f) As God is Holy, His word is Holy.
Leviticus 11:45, “For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall, therefore, be holy, for I am holy.”
Isaiah 43:15, “I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King.”
Romans 7:12, “Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.”
g) As God is a spirit, His word is spiritual.
John 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Romans 7:14, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.”
h) As God is just and good, His word is Just and good.
Psalms 100:5, “For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.”
Psalms 107:1, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
Psalms 25:8, “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He teaches sinners in the way.”
Hebrews 6:5, “and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,”
Romans 7:12, “Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.”
1 Timothy 1:8, “But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,”
Psalms 7:11, “God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.”
1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
3. The word of God is all-sufficient.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
4. The word of God has been tested (tried, proved), It has no errors in its original inspired language, it is pure and Holy.
Psalms 12:6, “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”
5. The word of God is complete. The reason you can’t add or remove from it.
Deuteronomy 4:2, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
Deuteronomy 12:31-32, “You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Proverbs 30:5-6, Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”
Revelation 22 :18-19, “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
6. It will be the standard of God’s Judgements. We will be judged by it because it is the standard of what is right and wrong.
Revelation 20: 12, “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”
3. What are the main distinguishing characteristics of the truth?
Truth has three distinct characteristics. The characteristics you must look at anything before you consider it to be true (genuine, original).
a) The truth is knowable.
You can know or understand the truth when you study it or when someone teaches you. Through a serious study of God’s word, the truth may be revealed to you, other bible study factors being equal.
Scriptural references
John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
1 John 2:21, “I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.”
2 Peter 1:12, “For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.”
Proverbs 22:20-21, “Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you?”
b) The truth is unchangeable.
Truth is consistent, rigid or stands forever. The world may change, but the word of God (truth) does not change. No matter how sincere a belief is held, it cannot change the truth. No matter how man tries to change, twist, add or remove from God’s word, it does not have any changing effect on what God has said.
Scriptural references
Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.”
Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Psalms 89:34, “My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.”
c) The truth is verifiable.
The Truth can be verified, proved or tested.
Scriptural references
I Thessalonians 5:21, “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
Acts 17:10-11, “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
John 3:1-2, “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
4. Who is the God of the Bible?
Read Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalms 25:10, Psalms 119: 160, Psalms 119: 142, 152, Psalms 146:6,
Comment
The scripture clearly indicates that the God of the Bible, the Creator of the universe, is the God of truth, Deuteronomy 32:4. And everything about Him is truth. His path is mercy and truth, Psalms 25:10. His words are true, Psalms 119: 160. His laws and commandments are true, Psalms 119:142, 151. He keeps the truth forever, Psalms 146:6. He is the God that Abraham served, so was Isaac and Jacob, and the God all those who believed in the Bible must seek to know. When you truly know Him, you will know the truth. Not only is He the God of truth, but His son (the Messiah) is truth, and His Spirit is the Spirit of truth.
Scriptural References
Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.”
Psalms 25:10, “All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.”
Psalms 119:160, “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”
Psalms 119:142, 151, “Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are truth.”
Psalms 146:6, “Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever,”
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 16:13, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
5. Why is the revelation of God important regarding the truth?
Read Genesis 12:1,7, Exodus 3:2-6, Mark 1:16-20, Acts 9:3-6, Ephesians 3:2-5, Matthew 11:25-27, Matthew 16:15-17. John 18: 28-38.
Comment
The beginning of knowing the truth is receiving the revelation of the God of truth. Pilate could not recognize the Messiah (the personification of the truth) because it was not revealed to him. Without receiving a personal revelation of the true God your claim to know the truth may be vague. Abraham received a personal revelation (calling) from God, Genesis 12:1,7. Moses received a personal revelation of God, Exodus 3:2-6. Apostle Paul received a personal revelation, Acts 9:3-6. And so were the other twelve apostles, Mark 1:16-20. They were called personally. The Messiah said to them “come follow me.” When you heed to the calling of God, His truth will be revealed to you.
Scriptural References
Ephesians 3:2-5, “if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:”
Matthew 11:25-27, “At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
Matthew 16:15-17, “He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
6. What results when the truth is not recognized?
Read John 18: 28-38, Isaiah 59:12-15, Deuteronomy 12:8, Judges 17:6; 21:25
Comment
In John chapter 18, in the arrest of the Messiah to face Pilate the governor of Judea, Pilate asked a profound question any believer should ask regarding any beliefs, doctrines, and teachings he holds dearly – What is the truth? In this biblical account, even though Pilate knew that the Messiah was innocent, he still delivered Him to be crucified and released Barabbas, a thief. To Pilate, just as many government officials, truth is what the majority of people agreed with, or what will advance their political ambitions. Can this be the same as what we believe in Christianity? That is, if the majority of people agreed to a doctrine or teaching and are following it, then it is considered to be the truth.
Also, to the religious leaders of the time of the Messiah, they knew the Messiah was innocent, because they could not accuse him of any wrongdoing, yet they choose to deliver Him to be crucified. To them, the truth is what their long-held traditions dictate. Is this also the same in Christianity about many of the traditions we follow that are not in the scripture? Many believed that they are true because the traditions are long-held and are generally accepted.
It’s important to note from this account, which will result if the truth cannot be recognized. From Anna’s and Caiaphas, who represents the religious system of the world to Pilate, who represents the political system of the world, and to the crowd which represents the professing believers today. Because they did not recognize the truth, regarding the Messiah, they could not determine between what was right or wrong, hence they crucify the Lord of glory and let a thief go free. When the truth is not known there will be no basis for what is right or wrong, hence justice will be prevented or perverse. A large number of people can make what is bad to become good in as much they agreed on it and the generality accepted it. It usually does not end well if we don’t know the truth and much more, if we know the truth and refuse to follow it. When the truth is not recognized everyone will live and act as it is right in his eyes. When the truth cannot be recognized, falsehoods will prevail. When the truth is not recognized division is inevitable, people cannot speak the same thing or have the same mind.
Scriptural References
Isaiah 59:12-15, “For our transgressions are multiplied before You, And our sins testify against us; For our transgressions are with us, And as for our iniquities, we know them: In transgressing and lying against the LORD, And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him That there was no justice.”
Deuteronomy 12:8, “You shall not at all do as we are doing here today- every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes-”
Judges 17:6; 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
7. Why must you follow the truth?
The scriptures speak for itself, why you must follow the truth.
a) The truth sets you apart
Following the truth sets you apart as belonging to God. The truth sanctifies you and
marks you as a child of God, God’s chosen people (a peculiar people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation). Anyone who walks in falsehoods and lies sets himself as belonging to the devil.
John 17:17-19, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes, I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.”
John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
b) The truth sets you free from spiritual and religion bondage
Following the truth removes you from spiritual and religion bondage and set you on the path of liberty. The more you live the truth, the more you experience God’s true liberty.
John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
c) The truth makes your worship correct and acceptable.
When you worship God in truth, it makes your worship to be acceptable. Any worship based on falsehoods and lies is not acceptable by God, in fact, it is an abomination.
John 4:23-24, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Psalms 145:18, “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.”
d) The truth preserves you
Following the truth brings life; it saves you from eternal destruction. The only path that leads to eternal life, is the path of the truth.
Proverbs 20:28, “Mercy and truth preserve the king, and by lovingkindness, he upholds his throne.”
Psalms 40:11, “Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD; Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.”
e) The truth saves you.
Salvation comes by believing the truth and following the truth. No one will be saved by believing falsehoods and following the commandments of men.
2 Thessalonians 2: 10, “and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
f) The truth makes you God’s delight,
God takes pleasure in the life of those who follow the truth. God is always moved to bless them and work on their behalf.
Proverbs 12:22, “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.”
g) The truth adds life to you.
The story of Hezekiah in 2 King 20:1-6 shows the benefits of living the life of the truth. It brings life instead of death. Those who believe the truth and live the life of the truth will inherit eternal life.
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
h) The truth makes you qualified to be a leader,
Becoming a leader in any capacity comes with qualifications. One of the qualifications is that you must be a person of truth. You must be willing to follow and live the truth to be chosen by God to lead.
Exodus 18:21, “Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”
i) The truth makes you receive the seal of the Holy Spirit,
The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth and only dwells in the lives of those who believe and follow the truth.
Ephesians 1:13, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,”
j) The truth qualifies you to enter God’s kingdom,
The scriptures say there will be a time when we will see God face to face when He comes to dwell with us in His son’s kingdom. But those who will be with Him in this kingdom are those who practice the truth (followed and lived the truth).
Psalms 15:1-2, “LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart;”
Revelation 21: 8, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21: 27, “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
Revelation 22:15“But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
k) The truth always prevails.
No matter how the truth may be perverse, suppressed, resisted, or rejected, it always prevails at the end. And come to think of it, at the judgment seat of the Messiah, He will judge in truth and by the truth. So, nothing can be done against the truth, but for the truth.
2 Corinthians 13:8, “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.”
8. Why is the truth not revealed to many?
The desire of God is that all men should come to the knowledge of the truth, 1 Timothy 2:4. But why is the truth lacking in our world today? The following points explain.
a) Rejection of the true God – This is done by going after idols and all those abominable things God hates. The rejection of the true God blocks the revelation of the truth.
Romans 1:25, “who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
b) Suppression and resistance of the truth – The truth is suppressed either by the persecution or opposition of those who know and speak it or by the encouragement of lies. Isaiah chapter 59 says those who speak it makes themselves prey
Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,”
2 Timothy 3:8, “Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;”
2 Timothy 2:25, “in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,”
c) Hatred of the truth – This done by not doing what the word of God says and turning to lies. Develop hatred for those who know and follow the truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
Galatians 4:16, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?”
d) Turn their ears from hearing it,
2 Timothy 4:3-4“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
Titus 1:14, “not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.”
2 Timothy 4:4, “and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
9. What must you do with the truth?
a) You must know the truth.
1 John 2:21, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
I John 2:21, “I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.”
b) You must think (meditate) about the truth.
Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things.”
c) You must speak the truth.
Ephesians 4:25, “Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.”
Zechariah 8:16, “These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;”
Psalms 15:1-2, “LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart;”
Proverbs 12:17, 19, 22, “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit. The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.”
d) You must study and teach the truth
2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
e) You must walk in the truth.
3 John 1:3-4, “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
2 John 1:4, “I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.”
Psalms 26:3, “For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth.”
f) You must buy the truth
Proverbs 23:23, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.”
g) You must let the truth dwell in you.
2 John 1:1-2, “The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:”
3 John 1:3, “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.”
h) You must rejoice in the truth,
1 Corinthians 13:6, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;”
i) You must believe the truth
2 Thessalonians 2:12, “that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
1 Timothy 4:3, “forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
j) You must defend the truth
Jude 3, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
k) You must love in truth.
2 John 1:1 “The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,”
1 John 3:18-19, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.”
10). Does it matter what one believes, so long as one is sincere?
Whatever one believes that is not from the scripture is not acceptable by God, even if one is sincere about it. You may be sincerely wrong if the truth is missing in the way you worship and will lead to vain worship. True salvation comes from belief in the truth and acceptable worship is the one done in spirit and in the truth. Truth is more important than sincerity.
2 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,”
John 4:23-24, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Psalms 145:18, “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.”
11) What should the Church be known for?
The Church should be known for the truth. The Church should be a pillar and ground of the truth where no lies can hide. It should be a place for no philosophies, heresies, fables, empty deceits, demonic doctrines, myths, extra-biblical teachings beyond what has been written according to the traditions of men, but the truth and only the truth.
1 Timothy 3:15, “These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Conclusions
The word of God is the truth. It is the basis of what is right and wrong. The word of God bears the same characters as God. As God is truth, his word is truth. The truth has three distinct characteristics: it is knowable, it is unchangeable, and it is verifiable. When the truth is not known, Justice will be prevented, falsehoods will prevail, divisions will be inevitable, and everyone will live their life as it is right in their own eyes. Knowing and following the truth has many benefits. It helps to determine what is right and wrong. It exposes errors, lies, and deceptive spirits. It sanctifies. It sets free from bondage and brings eternal blessings. No matter how the truth is treated, in the end, it always wins.
0 Comments