Tags
1 John 1:6-10, Choices And Consequences, Exodus 20:7, Gratitude, Hebrews 4:12-13, John 14:6, John 15:19-21, John 8:19-45, Matthew 7:13-19, Matthew 7:6, Proverbs 16:25, SIN, Truth IS Truth--Jesus Is Truth
Bible Ballistics: BBs #604 A Month Of Gratitude??? #8 Truth
I am grateful for God’s Word (which I already spoke about) and the fact that it is truth—truth, no matter what others may say about it, accept it or deny it—I thank God that HIS truth IS true, and that it never changes. Times may change, people may change, opinions my change, cultural norms may change but God and His Word never change, and for that I am truly grateful. I read some things recently that just grieve my soul, for the cultural attacks on our faith in The Word of God, and the God of The Word. Regardless of whether you or I believe or accept God’s Word, it doesn’t change the fact that HIS Word is set! It will be our judge—both the spoken/written Word as well as the Living Word, Jesus!
“For the word of God is
quick,
and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder
of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner
of the thoughts
and intents
of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature
that is not manifest in his sight:
but all things
are naked
and opened
unto the eyes of him
with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:12-13
Jesus Himself told us who He was, is and ever shall be—The Living Word—The Truth—The Light—the very hope of the world.
“Jesus saith unto him,
I am
the way,
the truth,
and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me.” John 14:65
Jesus was and is truth embodied, and He came that we might have life IN Him! But we can’t hold to the lies of the culture and still claim to know truth—written or living! We must stand upon The Word of God or perish!
“There is a way
that seemeth right
unto a man,
but the end thereof
are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25
Jesus is the Only Way—The One Way to God—and His way will never contradict His own Word! He is that Way, and He is the gate into God’s kingdom, and we can only enter by faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice. And not to be rude, but “news flash” if you or I have never seen, nor do we now see our “sin” as “sin”, we may have never met the Jesus who died for SIN! For Jesus saves us from our sin—and cleanses us “from all sin”! But many claim that their behavior isn’t sin—it’s the way God made them, or it’s my right to choose (and it is but remember there is a consequence for every choice). But when Jesus saves us, HE not only forgives our sin, but He cleanses us from it. Jesus talked about this disparity that is so prevalent in our culture—our world—today.
“Enter ye in
at the strait gate:
for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be
which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life,
and few there be
that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets,
which come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them
by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes
of thorns,
or figs
of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree
cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree
bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit
is hewn down,
and cast into the fire.” Matthew 7:13-19
And the Apostle John spoke to this as well.
“If we say that we have fellowship with him,
and walk in darkness,
we lie,
and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light,
as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ
his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves,
and the truth
is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just
to forgive us
our sins,
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned,
we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:6-10
And just as food for thought today, as we think about The Word of God, and God Himself, one of the Ten Commandments comes to mind.
“Thou shalt not
take the name
of the LORD thy God
in vain;
for the LORD
will not hold him guiltless
that taketh his name
in vain.” Exodus 20:7
While this is clearly referring to speaking God’s name lightly, in jest, in ridicule or disparagingly, it also means to use God’s name in a vain way! What do I mean? I mean this isn’t simply a command to refrain from what we call “cursing” (which is a command that we need reminding of today, for sure) it is a reference to the fact that GOD is GOD, and worthy of worship, and acknowledgment of His authority; yet we hear people on every hand claiming to speak for God—God wouldn’t send someone to hell—God would or wouldn’t do or not do any particular thing—yet their words are contrary to HIS Word. That is also taking His name in vain! It’s also laying the fault of our sin at the feet of the Holy God Almighty of the universe! So many today are making unbiblical claims and charges for and against God that are contrary to His Word, His character and His standard! God “will not hold him guiltless”!
Jesus said there is one cause for this kind of behavior:
“Then said they unto him,
Where is thy Father?
Jesus answered,
Ye neither know me,
nor my Father:
if ye had known me,
ye should have known my Father also…
… 23 And he said unto them,
Ye are from beneath;
I am from above:
ye are of this world;
I am not of this world.
24 I said therefore unto you,
that ye shall die in your sins:
for if ye believe not
that I am he,
ye shall die in your sins…
… 34 Jesus answered them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Whosoever committeth sin
is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not
in the house for ever:
but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore
shall make you free,
ye shall be free indeed…
… 38 I speak that
which I have seen with my Father:
and ye do that
which ye have seen with your father…
.. 42 Jesus said unto them,
If God were your Father,
ye would love me:
for I proceeded forth
and came from God;
neither came I of myself,
but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech?
even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil,
and the lusts of your father
ye will do.
He was a murderer
from the beginning,
and abode not in the truth,
because there is no truth in him.
When he speaketh a lie,
he speaketh of his own:
for he is a liar,
and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth,
ye believe me not.” Portions of John 8:19-45
I know this is a lengthy passage but one that I thought necessary, and I’d encourage you to read John 6-8 on your own—Jesus’ message wasn’t always well received by the people, in fact they killed Him because HE spoke truth and they didn’t want to hear truth. I simply want to remind those who are born-again children of God, our job is to live faithfully, speak truthfully and press on in the power of our Lord, knowing that as they rejected our Lord they will often reject us and our message (we are even now being called “haters” for speaking the truth of God!). Jesus gave us a little jewel of advice and I’ll leave you with it. And may I kindly remind us all (myself included) social media is a divider—intentionally—and we must not let the enemy trick us into “foolish debate” with those who have no desire to receive truth!
“If ye were of the world,
the world would love his own:
but because ye are not
of the world,
but I have chosen you
out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you,
The servant is not greater
than his lord.
If they have persecuted me,
they will also persecute you;
if they have kept my saying,
they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things
will they do unto you
for my name’s sake,
because they know not him
that sent me.” John 15:19-21
“Give not that which is holy
unto the dogs,
neither cast ye your pearls
before swine,
lest they trample them
under their feet,
and turn again
and rend you.” Matthew 7:6
‘Nuff said!!!
Amen and Amen!
