DO  YOU REALLY  LOVE  THE  TRUTH? 

The joy of Eternal Life and the Kingdom of God depends on the Truth of God’s Word–

but do you really value Truth as you should?

You may have little interest in spiritual things and have never really read the Bible in your life.  Although you are not a Christian yet, hopefully you are willing to honestly and thoughtfully consider the witness of Scripture to Jesus Christ.  On the other hand, you may be a person who recently turned to the Lord and are now eager to learn His will for your life.  It may be that you are simply confused with the different religious bodies, doctrines, and beliefs in the world and wonder whether it is actually possible to arrive at absolute truth.

Whoever you are, may these few thoughts motivate you to apply yourself even more diligently to learn the truth in the Word of God.  Someone has well said: “The greatest friend of truth is Time, her greatest enemy is Prejudice, and her constant companion is Humility.”  Let us lay aside our prejudices, humble our hearts, and spend the necessary time to seek the truth of God!  I challenge you to read on for the sake of the Truth!

Since God is the Author of truth, we must seek His help if we would learn anything about this elusive but precious treasure.  Let us pray for His enlightenment in the words of the psalmist:  “O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me. . . . O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, answer me with Your saving truth” (Psalm 43:3a, 69:13b).  If this is your attitude of heart, God will be pleased to answer your plea and lead you to the truth that will set you free and prepare you for His glorious presence.

Living in a World of Deception

It is simple enough to realize that we are often deceived in our daily life.  Consider the advertisers.  People buy things they do not need because they have been persuaded by smooth-talking sales persons describing enticing products displayed in living color on American television sets!  But too often the advertisers are not telling the whole truth.  We are often deceived in many other ways.  The media is responsible for much of it.  Not only does television deceive the average person, he is also deceived by the radio, by videos, by the billboards, and by the movies.  More deception comes from popular magazines, the newspaper, computer programs, and novels.  Vast amounts of deception comes to the student in the public primary and secondary schools.  Even more lies and falsehoods are poured into students’ minds through higher education in the colleges and universities.  Whether it is psychology, sociology, philosophy, biology, chemistry, geology, astronomy, literature, or any one of dozens of other fields, students are being deceived on a vast scale so that their minds are filled with false theories, distorted values, perverted concepts, moral relativism, and religious confusion.

The result of all of these assaults on truth is that people do not know what to believe–and if they do not know what to believe, they do not know how to live.  Therefore, most people are living without objective standards, totally oblivious to the fact that their Creator and God has already revealed what they are to believe and how they are to live.  We can understand how John could write, “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19b).  We can also see how true it is that “the whole world” is controlled by the powers of deception (Rev. 12:9).  Paul spoke of a day when some would be “deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13).  In fact, those out of Christ are living a “deceived” life (Tit. 3:3).

Although the minds of unbelievers are filled with vast amounts of deception of all kinds (as we have just seen), it is important for us to realize that even religious and church-going people–professing “Christians”–generally are likewise greatly deceived.  Hypocrisy itself is widespread, and what is hypocrisy other than deception–claiming to be what we are not!  Most professing Christians are deceived about their own salvation and relationship with God.  Most are deceived about what kind of lifestyle is pleasing to God.  Most are deluded about what God desires in His people today, what the body of Christ should be like, and how to worship and serve Him.  They have distorted conceptions about what to do and what not to do.  They are even confused about how the normal life in Christ is to be viewed, as portrayed in the Bible.  They are confused about a wide array of Scriptural teachings.  It should be clear, therefore, that even this religious segment of society has been greatly deceived–but, sadly, does not even know it!

In the midst of all of this deception, what is the answer?  The answer is simple–TRUTH!  Only truth will dispel the lies, the deception, the false concepts and practices and worldviews that predominate in our society and in our world.  Truth is the answer.  But so few are willing to see this simple solution and so few are willing to seek out truth for themselves.  They would rather flow with the stream that will inexorably take them into even greater deception.  How about you?  Are you one who sees the problem and are willing to break free from the confines of deception?  Are you one who loves the truth and will pursue it with all of your heart? 

Are We Really Seekers?

Before you were given this little booklet, would you have described yourself as a “seeker” of truth?  Is truth something that you really want to know more than anything else?  Consider for a moment several illustrations.  If you noticed a lump developing somewhere on your body and it continued to grow steadily, week by week, what would you do?  Would you simply continue on through life as though everything were normal?  If you would simply ignore the evidence, you may eventually die of cancer!  The obvious answer is that you should consult your physician and seek all of the information you can find on your physical condition!

The illustrations are all around us.  If a college student doesn’t have the interest and make the effort to consult his college catalog to determine what courses are needed for his major, he may never graduate!  Or suppose you were taking a cross-country trip from Pennsylvania to California.  Would you simply depart from your driveway and aim your car in a westward direction?  No, if you really want to reach your destination, you will seek reliable information.  You might check with a travel club; you will surely examine a reliable map; you may check with a friend who has made the trip in the past.  We can see that facts and truth are important ingredients in our daily life.

We can understand this in the human and earthly sphere, but somehow most people fail to apply this to the spiritual aspect of life.  Yet spiritual truth is far more vital than earthly truth.  The one has to do with time, the other with eternity!  The one is concerned with the visible, the other with the invisible!  The one deals with that which will pass away, the other with that which will forever endure!  How important it is, therefore, that we be seekers of spiritual truth.  It is the height of folly to be concerned about this life that will soon pass away and be unconcerned about truth that will lead to eternal life!

If you have given little consideration to the truth of God before now, won’t you take some time and thoughtfully ponder what we have just discussed?  Does it seem reasonable that a person will obtain twelve or sixteen years of education so that he can find work that will last forty to forty-five years, but the same person will give almost no effort to discovering spiritual truth that will determine where he or she will be for the next 1,000 years–or one million years–or forever and ever?  Hopefully you can see at least something of your need for spiritual truth and will be motivated to continue reading this short article.

A Teachable Spirit

The Lord delights in a yielded, open, teachable spirit.  This is one of the most important qualities you can possess.  If this sincere and receptive attitude is yours, God will teach you more than you now know.  He will lead you from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge, from the realm of falsehood to new vistas of truth.  You will not only be delivered from sin, but you will also grow in the faith and become useful in the Lord’s service.

On the other hand, if you do not have this precious teachable spirit, if you are unwilling to investigate and search for understanding, you will be locked up in your ignorance and prejudice.  If your heart and mind is closed, the Word of God cannot penetrate it and you will forever remain in your present state of immaturity.  Spencer observed, “There is a principle which is proof against all argument and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance.  That principle is condemnation before investigation.”  Are you one who is willing to investigate?

The sad fact regarding such closed minds is that they often are unaware of their spiritual ignorance.  As someone remarked, “Don’t confuse me with facts–my mind is made up!”  Disraeli accurately pointed out, “To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge.”  It is not necessarily wrong to admit ignorance; it is wrong to be content in such ignorance and not seek the truth!  We must honestly face up to our lack of understanding and our need to learn more clearly the way of truth.

          Let me emphasize one thing very carefully.  The conventional life that consists of working, eating, and sleeping, interspersed with liberal amounts of “fun” and television- watching along with way, will never do!  It is so easy for one to go through life, content with his present prejudices, misunderstandings, and lifestyle, and give no thought to the fact that broad areas of spiritual truth lie unexamined.  Please, dear reader, do not allow yourself to fall into this tragic, hopeless, and deceived condition!

The Priority of Truth Above All

Jesus declared, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).  The truth of Christ’s identity and saving work can indeed set us free from sin (vv. 34, 36).  Yet all of God’s divine truth is vital for our life and well-being.  We must come to the deep and settled realization that the truth of God is our highest priority!

Do you regard the Word of God as your greatest priority in life?  Do you have the sincere conviction that you must know God’s will more than anything else?  Are you convinced of the fact that only the one who knows and does “the will of God” will “abide forever” (cf. 1 John 2:17), will “enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 7:21), and will “receive what was promised” by God (Heb. 10:36)?  If so, you should be able to see how extremely important it is for you to earnestly seek what the will of God really is!

Just how important is the truth of God to you?  Probably far more important than you may imagine!  Notice that God’s truth far surpasses the following elements of life:

Food

Are you a slave to your stomach (cf. Phil. 3:19; Tit. 1:12)?  You should recognize that God’s Word–and a study of that Word–is much more important than your daily meals.  Jesus said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).  The truth of God is even more crucial than physical nourishment.  Job also recognized this and said, “I have treasured the words of His [God’s] mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12b).  Even Jesus recognized that sharing the truth of God was more important than regular eating (cf. Mark 3:20-21; 6:31; John 4:31-34).  So the question is whether you regularly make time to eat several meals a day, but cannot devote quality time to the truth of God.  What is more important to your life–your physical eating or your search of God’s divine Word?

Sleep 

Are you willing to do without sleep in order to seek God’s truth and follow it?  Are you willing to stay up late or rise early in order to diligently study God’s Word?  Or do you pamper your body while your spirit becomes weak?  Paul said that he went “through many sleepless nights” in service   for the Lord (2 Cor. 11:27).  The psalmist said, “My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word” (Psalm 119:148).  Do you find yourself sleeping more than what is necessary, then excusing yourself for not studying God’s Word?

Money

Countless people would rather pursue riches than seek the true treasure of the Kingdom (cf. Matt. 13:44-46).  Yet, tragically, money will cause people to come to ruin (1 Tim. 6:9-10; Mark 10:21-23).  The Word of God is a treasure field containing priceless gems of truth!  David wrote that the commandments of God “are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold” (Psalm 19:10a; cf. 119:72,127; Prov. 8:10, 11, 19).  Do you allow your eager rush for wealth to crowd out your desire for God’s will and God’s truth?

Possessions

Most people live for “things”!  They seek “things,” think about “things,” and enjoy “things”!  They seek money (our previous point) in order to pile up earthly

possessions that have no spiritual benefit.  In fact, often possessions can draw away one’s interest in spiritual things.  Jesus said, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15, NIV).  He said that “the desire for other things” will “enter in and choke the word and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19).  Material things–the possessions of the world–are allowed to take precedence over the spiritual.  This has been the sad experience of countless would-be truth seekers! Have you allowed earthly possessions (house, furnishings, lawn, garden, lands, cars, televisions, VCR’s, computers, clothes, toys, etc.) to crowd out your devotion to God’s life-giving Word?

Employment

We know that one’s job or occupation has a proper place in paying for living expenses (1 Thess. 4:11-12), but do we allow our job to become our master?  Numerous people devote so much time and energy to their work that they have little left to seek that which is of even greater value–the truth of God!   They are so tired after a day’s work that they eat, then fall into bed until the next day.  Jesus warns that there would be some who become preoccupied with domestic pursuits and have little interest in the Kingdom of God (Luke 14:18-20; cf. vv. 15-24). 

Family

Definitely the believer must love, respect, care for, and relate to a wife, husband, parents, children, and others within the family (cf. Eph. 5:22-6:4; 1 Tim. 5:8).  Yet the Lord Jesus must come before even these proper relationships.    He declared,  “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:37; cf. Luke 9:59-62; 14:26-27).  Sometimes the call of Christ must even come before one’s family members–whether it be a husband, a wife, a child, or a parent (Mark 10:28-30; Matt. 12:46-50).  Are you willing to place your devotion to truth, your study of God’s Word, and your obedience to His will before and above your wife, your husband, your children, your parents, or anyone else near to you?

“Good Things” 

How can good things in life become enemies of the truth?  They can so fill our time and occupy our mind that we have little time or motivation to seek the truth of God.  It may be good to raise a garden for nutritious food and to keep us close to the earth, but this can become so time-consuming that we just don’t have much time left for the more important activity of learning God’s Word.  It may be good to have some livestock on our property, but this too can occupy most of our time and attention.  Physical exercise does have some profit, but it cannot compare with spiritual pursuits in life (1 Tim. 4:8).  Traveling may be inspiring and provide a break in our life, but this can also crowd out a study of the Scriptures.  Visiting friends and loved ones has a rightful place, but this too can push out a diligent pursuit of truth from our life.  There are “good things” in life but we must beware that they do not crowd out that which is of even greater priority.  The “good” can become the enemy of the “best”!

Church or Denomination

Many people find themselves with some church or denominational affiliation.  However, most churches are in some measure a roadblock to truth rather than an aid to finding it!  Although   some   portions   of truth   generally   are   taught   in

established bodies of religion, most of them neglect, overlook, disbelieve, disobey, pervert, and fail to teach other aspects of truth.  Some of the more unpopular portions   of God’s Word are either avoided, explained away, or even taught against!  They would rather that you not read and heed certain teachings of the Scriptures.  It is as though religious leaders conveniently take their spiritual “scissors” and cut out those teachings in God’s word that are unpopular and which conflict with their fleshly pursuits.  This is what we should expect in popular religious circles today (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Acts 20:29-30; Matt. 7:21-23).  For this reason, you will probably need to forsake your compromising church body in your desire to pursue the will of God.

Brothers and Sisters

Paul says that “the household of God” or “the community of the living God” is actually “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).  If you have genuinely been born again and have brothers and sisters in God’s family, they should be as interested in God’s truth as you are.  However, just as sin can still be a problem in Christ’s body, a lack of sincere and earnest desire for truth can also be a problem.  Whatever the response or lack of response of others, even if they are dear fellow-saints, you must still hold truth as your greatest desire and be willing to believe and obey it regardless of the outcome.

In these and other areas of life, we must see the truth of God as utterly important!  It is of higher value than your eating, sleeping, money, possessions, employment, family, church, or even your brothers and sisters in Christ (if you are in God’s family).  You must see that it is of highest value in your life now and in your life forever.  It is of greater importance than anything else.  I saw a poster years ago which stated something like this:

Peace:

Thou art such a Treasure

That I would trade nothing for Thee

but Truth!

Yes, our understanding of truth, belief of truth, and obedience to truth must take precedence over peace (both personal and between people) and every other legitimate and valuable blessing of life.  Are you willing to follow truth with all of your heart?

The Amazing Result of Truth

We have been speaking about the need to place truth before and above every other thing in life.  But why is truth that important?  First, let us ask just what truth we are speaking about.  Actually, all of the Scriptures are truth.  The psalmist wrote, “The sum of Your word is truth” (119:160a).  Jesus likewise prayed, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17).  Thus, God’s Word–all of God’s Word–is truth.  When we seek truth, we should be studying all of the Scriptures–from Genesis to Revelation.  Paul said, “All Scripture is inspired of God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  All Scripture is true and all is the source of spiritual truth.

But often Scripture refers to truth in a more limited way.  Jesus, for instance, said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).  Here, evidently, Jesus is referring to the truth of His identity and saving work for our sins (cf. 8:24, 28, 34, and 36).  Paul wrote that the Ephesian readers had listened to “the message of truth,” then he identifies this as “the gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13).  The Colossians likewise had “heard in the word of truth, the gospel [good news]” (1:5; cf. 2 Cor. 6:7).  Thus, “truth” sometimes is not just the totality of God’s Word, but that element of the Word that pertains to the good news of Christ Jesus and the salvation that He offers.

What then is the result of hearing, believing, accepting, and obeying truth?  This is what makes truth so important!  Notice several of the results of truth or blessings related to it:

          (1)  Spiritual freedom.  In the passage quoted above, Jesus said that “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).  Free from what?  He goes on to explain, “Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. . . . If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (vv. 34, 36).  Truth will make us free from slavery to sin!  Do you experience this spiritual freedom?

          (2)  Salvation.  Paul writes of some who “did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10).  Only those who have a love of the truth and respond to it will be saved from sin!  Paul continues by saying that his readers had been chosen for “salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth” (v. 13).  Faith in the truth brings salvation from sin, death, and the wrath of God! (See also 1 Thess. 1:9-10; 5:9).

          (3)  Purification of our souls.  Peter says, “You have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren” (1 Pet. 1:22a).  Because of sin, our souls are defiled and unclean (Tit. 1:5).  Through spiritual truth our souls are purified or cleansed by God!  Do you have this soul purity?

          (4)  New Birth.  We know that one is spiritually born by God (John 1:13) through the Holy Spirit (3:5), but we should also know that this takes place through the truth of the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23).  Notice what James says: “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth” (James 1:18a; NIV).  We know, of course, that one cannot enter the kingdom of God unless He is spiritually born from above (John 3:5).

          (5)  Holiness.  The Lord prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17).  “Sanctify” means to set apart from the world and sin to God and His ways.  It means to make holy.  Since we cannot see God or be with Him without this holiness (Heb. 12:14), we can understand how important it is to seek the truth that will provide it.  Have you been made holy?

Would you say that it is vital for you to find spiritual freedom from sin and death?  Would you say that it is important to be saved from the guilt and condemnation of sin and from the wrath of God that this sin deserves?  Is it imperative that your soul is cleansed from the filth of sin?  Is it crucial that you be spiritually born of God?  Would you say that it is indispensable that you be set apart and grow in holiness?  These are only a few of the many blessings that come to us through the truth of God!

Are There Enemies of the Truth?

Since the source of truth is God, we can be assured that the enemy of God, Satan, will do all he can to draw us away from the truth and cause us to remain in sin, error, and deception.  If it is absolutely essential that you believe, know, and obey the truth, you should be very interested in knowing what the enemies of truth are.  Notice some of them:

          (1)  No love of the truth.

Since one must have a love of the truth to be saved (2 Thess. 2:10), we can see that it is deadly to have an indifferent, cold, careless attitude toward truth.  Honestly search your heart and ask whether you do have a sincere love of God’s truth–or whether you have allowed this enemy to overcome you.

          (2)  Sinfulness.

Paul writes of those who “did not believe the truth” but took “pleasure in wickedness” (2 Thess. 2:12).  You can imagine that people will react against truth if it will affect their lifestyle of sin.  In fact, if there is a specific sin in your life, there may be a tendency for you to react against that portion of God’s word that condemns your particular sin.

          (3)  False teaching.

Sometimes people would rather listen to and read false religious teaching rather than expose themselves to the serious and unyielding truth of God.   Paul says that people “will not endure sound doctrine,” but instead “will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).  The Bible is quite clear that some are deprived of truth (1 Tim. 6:5) and oppose the truth (2 Tim. 3:6). Some pastors, preachers, evangelists, and teachers can make falsehood so appealing, that all earnest desire for truth is quenched and eliminated.  Have you been deceived in this way?

          (4)  Religious Traditions.

Scripture says that we are not to “pay attention” to “commandments of men who turn away from the truth” (Titus 1:14).  Jesus also warned the Pharisees of His day: “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. . . . You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. . . . Invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down” (Mark 7:8, 9, 13).  There are many who would rather cling to the religious traditions that they have been taught by their churches and denominations than submit to the teachings that they can read in God’s Word.  Do any of these human religious traditions hold you captive?

          (5)  Peace in Families.

Many people would rather cast truth aside rather than risk causing conflict and division in their families.    It has been rightly observed  that  “truth  divides.”  Jesus warned that this would be the case:  “A man’s enemies will be the members of his household” (Matt. 10:36).  “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth?  I tell you, no, but rather division” (Luke 12:51; cf. vv. 52-53).  “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.  And you will be hated by all on account of My name”     (Mark   13:12).   A wife may not embrace the truth in fear that her husband will be disturbed–or even divorce her.  A husband may not accept the truth lest his wife leave him or ridicule him.  A son or daughter may refuse to turn to the truth of Christ because parents forbid it.  Regretfully, most people want peace at any cost even if truth must be sacrificed.  Will you accept truth regardless of outcome?

          (6)  Prejudice.

Many people are simply settled and comfortable with where they are spiritually.  Either they have no religious convictions and are prejudiced against those they consider “religious fanatics” and “right wing reactionaries,” or they have been raised in a particular religious body and assume that those of other persuasions are mistaken.  Some people are afraid to examine truth because they have been warned by pastors that certain teachings or practices are “cultic” or “fundamentalist” in nature. Because of their prejudice against anything opposed to what they have always believed, they simply dismiss or sometimes react rather strongly against those who would question their beliefs or practices.  This is a common and convenient but utterly foolish way to eliminate dealing with truth.

          (7)  Complacency.

There simply is a lot of religious indifference in our day.  Many people are not at all interested in checking out the truth and asking whether what they believe and do is right in the sight of God.   They are just not that concerned about examining the evidence and discovering the truth.  They are unlike the Bereans who “received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).  Most people    are    self-satisfied and content, unconcerned about checking the truthfulness of what they have been taught and what they believe.  Hopefully this whole booklet will stimulate these people to truly seek and discover the truth of God.         

(8)  Pridefulness.

Surely pride is a chief enemy of the truth.  A humble person will rejoice in the truth and be the better for it, but a prideful person will refuse to admit wrong or admit that he may be in error.   Stephen’s enemies could not answer his arguments, but instead of accepting the truth he proclaimed, they chose to eliminate him (Acts 6:9-15; 7:51-60). A prideful person will go so far as to think that he already has all the truth on everything, thus he does not need to examine anything else.  How blind!  “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5b).  “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD” (Prov. 16:5a).

          (9)  Unwillingness to Suffer Rejection.

It is true that few will be willing to accept truth; most will be content where they are.  And since most will not accept truth, those who do believe it and live by it will inevitably face slander, suffering, and rejection because of their acceptance of the truth.  However, few will be willing to endure the rejection by friends, family, and fellow-workers that truth brings (Matt. 5:10-12; Luke 6:22; John 15:18-20).  Jesus said, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and heap insults upon you” (Luke 6:22).  Are you willing to lay aside the friendship of others in order to have the friendship of God?

          (10)  Religious Denominations and Churches.

How could religious bodies be a hindrance to truth?  Some may even assert, “Surely religious groups want to promote truth!  They are teaching the Bible.  They can’t be considered an enemy of the truth!”  Strange as it may seem, religious groups do lead most people away from the truth of God in one way or another.  It is interesting that some local congregations and sects even have “truth” or “true” as part of their official name:

• . “Truth Church”
• . “True Spiritual Christians”
• . “True Fellowship Pentecostal Church of America”
• . “True Light Church of Christ”
• . “True Light Church of Christ of the Living God”
• . “Truth for Today”

But with all of their claims and professions, we must sadly charge that often serious falsehood is both embraced and taught by most churches, sects, denominations, cults, and religious organizations.  Jesus warned, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be rooted up.  Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.  And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit” (Matt. 15:13-14).  Churches may teach error along with the truth!

We can see that enemies of truth lie all around us.  Wherever you turn, there will be influences that would draw you away from the Word of God and make you content with the status quo.  On every hand, there will be pressures to react to the truth and believe what your pastor, minister, teacher, bishop, priest, or some well-known “televangelist” may say.  You will be tempted to place your confidence in a rule book, a catechism, a confession of faith, or a discipline rather than seeking out the truth from the Word of God itself.  You will be tempted to take the position of the media that warns against “going too far” in religion and being careful of falling into a “religious cult” or “extremist group.”  Will you succumb to any of these “enemies” of your soul that would hinder your earnest quest for the truth of God in Scripture?

A Quest for Truth in Scripture

We may be encouraged in our own search for truth if we turn to various examples of truth-seekers in Scripture who had the same attitude.  Let us notice some.  Think first of Mary of Bethany.  Scripture says that when Jesus visited her one day, Mary “was listening to the Lord’s word, seated at His feet” (Luke 10:39).  Jesus was highly pleased with her attentive, receptive, and teachable spirit, and remarked, “Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (v. 42).  Her devotion to the Lord led her to hang on every word He spoke.

The account of the spread of the good news of Christ offers many instances of people who were eager to learn the truth.  The Ethiopian certainly displayed such an attitude.  When Philip encountered him along the road, the Ethiopian was traveling in his chariot and reading aloud from the Scriptures (Acts 8:28-29).  This, in itself, indicates his hunger to learn.  (Have you ever tried to read for an extended time on a bumpy road!)  Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”  Many people would take offense with such a question, but the reader responded, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” (v. 31).  He then invited Philip to sit with him, asking him about the passage he was reading.  This gave Philip the opportunity to speak of Jesus.  The traveler immediately responded in faith and was baptized (vv. 32-39).  Notice that the Ethiopian did not react to the teaching, reject the teacher, or refuse to be immersed.  He indeed had a receptive spirit!

Another interesting incident is that of the conversion of Cornelius at Caesarea (Acts 10-11).  An angel appeared to this devout man while he was praying, directing him to send for Peter in Joppa–which he immediately did.  When Peter arrived several days later, Cornelius was waiting for him, along with his relatives and close friends (v. 24).  He said, “We are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord” (v. 33).  What a beautiful example of open hearts that were hungering to hear the word of God from Peter, the very message by which they could be saved from sin (11:14).  With such an attitude of humility and receptivity, it is not surprising to discover that they responded to the message of truth and thus were saved by God.

Yet another significant example of openness to the Word is recorded in Acts 13.  Paul had the opportunity to preach Jesus as the Messiah in the synagogue at Antioch of  Pisidia.  After the message, Paul and Barnabas were leaving the meeting place and “the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath.”  When the day arrived, “nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of God” (vv. 42, 44).  There were two responses to the word that day.  The Jews “began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming,” while the Gentiles “began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord” and many believed (vv. 45, 48).  One group responded positively, while the other responded negatively.  The truth of God had opposite effects on the two groups.

A further example of someone who had a teachable spirit is found in Acts 16:13-15.  On a Sabbath day Paul and his companions went to the river side and found a group of women who had assembled to worship God.  Paul shared the word of truth with these women, among whom was Lydia.  The record says that she “was listening” and “the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul” (v. 14b).  There was no contradiction, opposition, argumentation, or conflict.  She did not reject Paul’s message or angrily leave the meeting.  Instead, she openly received the truth, was immediately baptized, and eagerly opened her house for the preachers to reside (vv. 15, 40).

As Paul continued on his second major journey, he arrived in Thessalonica where he preached to those assembled at the synagogue (Acts 17:1-4).  Luke simply says that “some of them were persuaded” (v. 4), but Paul himself refers to the reception these believers gave to his message:  “When you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe” (1 Thess. 2:13).  They responded openly and positively to Paul’s words, recognizing that he brought the very message of God.

A further example we will cite is that of the Bereans, as recorded in Acts 17.  After Paul, Silas, and Timothy left Thessalonica, they traveled to the city of Berea where they went to the synagogue, as was their custom.  Luke then speaks of the Bereans’ response to the word:  “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so” (v. 11).  Notice how they responded to the word:  (1)  They received it with “great eagerness.”  Do we have this kind of eager longing to know the truth of God?  (2)  They were “examining” the Scriptures.  This term, anakrinontes, is from the Greek anakrino (anakrinw) which was commonly used for a judicial investigation.  They were “searching” or making an “inquiry” into the truthfulness of Paul’s message by comparing it with Scripture.  (3)  Their study of the Scriptures was a daily activity.  With this earnest desire to learn the truth of God, it is not surprising to read that many of these people believed the message (v. 12).

Let us consider also the attitude toward truth manifested by those who already were saved.  During the apostolic times, when Christians gathered corporately, as a body, there was a decided emphasis upon edification and teaching.  For instance, Paul says that in the gathering discussed in 1 Corinthians 14, “all things” must “be done for edification” (v. 26b).  This means that they were to “build up” the saints or so conduct the meetings that the believers would experience spiritual growth.  Spiritual truth was the means of this growth in the faith.  God wants you to be in His family of truth–that body of believers who constitute “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).

One of the clearest records of a believing community’s openness to the Word is found in Acts 20:7.  Paul was visiting the saints in Troas when they all gathered to break bread on the first day of the week.  The passage says that “Paul began talking to them . . . and he prolonged his message until midnight.”  We do not know how long this meeting lasted nor how long Paul spoke, since the time that the meeting began is not given.  However, we may be sure that Paul did not give a 20 minute “sermonette” as is popular in some circles today!  What is so delightful about this incident is that these brethren must have had an eagerness to learn, especially from this beloved apostle.  In contrast to various denominational “services” that last for one hour (sharp!), I have known of others that go on for two, three, or even four hours–because people have a desire to learn!

The Lord Jesus wants His body to be composed of individual believers who have been purified through “obedience to the truth” (1 Pet. 1:22), who handle accurately “the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15), who “know the truth” (2 John 1), and are ”walking in the truth” (2 John 4).  He wants this community of truth to believe and follow His truth as it comes to their attention.  Thus, this focus on truth is not only individual but also corporate.  This devotion to Scriptural truth is their settled purpose and earnest commitment.  Further, when one of their number “strays from the truth” (James 5:19), the faithful ones must reach out in love to turn the straying “sinner” from “the error of his way” and rescue “his soul from death” (v. 20; cf. 2 Tim. 2:24-26).  We can see, therefore, that the members of Christ’s body remain related to each other as they remain related to the saving truth that God has revealed through His Word.  We may picture it this way:

TRUTH  

€   €    €   €    €

 Believer    Believer    Believer    Believer    Believer

Open to Counsel

A sincere desire for truth will be evidenced in a variety of ways in life.  One often-neglected way is that of personal counsel or admonishment.  A brother or sister in the faith who has a teachable spirit and who longs for truth will be open to this counsel from a fellow-believer.  He will not have a closed, know-it-all attitude, but will realize that he can easily err in many ways, thus he needs godly, Scriptural advice and instruction. (The same is true of the sincere, truth-seeking person who is not truly saved.  He too will be open to instruction from the Christian.).  Proverbs has much to say about the wisdom of receiving counsel from others:

• . “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel” (12:15).
• . “He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding” (15:32).
• . “He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray” (10:17).

Do you have a defensive, negative attitude when someone approaches you with counsel from Scripture regarding something you believe, something you do, or something you fail to do?  Notice the two different responses to counsel found at 9:8-9:

“Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you,

Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser,

Teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.”

The first response is by a person who does not love the truth, while the second is by one who does love the truth.  The truth-lover will realize that he may become wiser, more knowledgeable, more godly, and more pleasing to God–thus he “loves” the person who points out truth to him.  Granted, many times one who offers counsel may be wrong.  Perhaps he does not have all of the facts that are needed to offer wise counsel.  He may need to grow in his own understanding of God’s Word.  This reveals the need for the one offering counsel to do so with caution, gentleness, patience, and wisdom–for he, himself, may be wrong.  But the person receiving counsel will love truth so much that he should be willing to thoughtfully consider, evaluate, and pray about what another may bring to his attention.

One of the most excellent examples of counsel offered and accepted is found in Acts 18:24-26.  Here we read of the unique incident regarding Apollos.  Notice what Scripture says about this man:  (1)  He was “an eloquent man” (v. 24).  (2)  He was “mighty in the Scriptures” (v. 24).  (3)  He was “instructed in the way of the Lord” (v. 25).  (4)  He was “fervent in spirit” (v. 25).  (5)  He was “speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus” (v. 25).  But Luke says what he lacked:  He was “acquainted only with the baptism of John” (v. 25)

Since Apollos was such an extraordinary man, would he be open to truth?  Would he humble himself to learn from others?  Or would he refuse admonition and thus remain in ignorance on this crucial subject of baptism?  There are many preachers, pastors, and teachers in our day who seem to be absolutely closed to learning something further about baptism into Christ. They assume that they already know the truth, thus they are closed to further instruction.  They think that their confession of faith, church discipline, catechism, denominational standards, or religious leaders have the last word on the subject.  Yet, in truth, they may have entirely missed the Scriptural teaching on who is to be baptized, what act actually constitutes baptism into Christ, or the meaning and purpose of baptism.  But they have closed their eyes and ears and hearts to learning further truth on baptism and many other topics in Scripture (cf. Matt. 13:14-15; Luke 9:44a).  They remain in their spiritual blindness.

Notice what Luke says after describing the character and ability of Apollos.  When this preacher began to “speak out boldly in the synagogue,” Priscilla and Aquila heard him.  They detected a deficiency in his understanding and a lack of truth in his message. The record then says that “they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26).  Apollos loved the truth.  He had a teachable spirit, thus he was receptive to Scriptural correction.  He humbled himself to the truth they brought and changed his life accordingly.  He went on to become an effective, sound, active worker in the Kingdom of God.  But this could not have been the result if he had proudly refused correction and been unwilling to weigh the truth that Aquila and Priscilla shared with him.

Not everyone is willing to accept counsel from others.  Not all are as open to truth as was Apollos.  Perhaps the most heart-rending example of refused counsel is found in the first chapter of Proverbs (vv. 24-31).  Here the “Wisdom” of God is personified and cries out:

          Because I called, and you refused;

          I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention;

          And you neglected all my counsel,

          And did not want my reproof;

          I will even laugh at your calamity;

          I will mock when your dread comes,

          When your dread comes like a storm,

          And your calamity comes on like a whirlwind,

          When distress and anguish come on you.

          Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;

          They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me,

          Because they hated knowledge,

          And did not choose the fear of the LORD.

          They would not accept my counsel,

          They spurned all my reproof.

          So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way,

          And be satiated with their own devices.

         Here we see the tragic end of one who turns from the counsel and reproof of God’s wisdom.  In our discussion, this would surely be covered under the heading of God’s truth.  If one rejects this truth for so long, he may never be able to truly repent and accept it in the future.  Future conviction and future opportunities may be missing.  How vital, therefore, that we respond to truth while we have the opportunity and while our hearts are receptive.  How important that we remain open to the counsel, reproof, admonition, exhortation, and warning of another who would bring truth to us and show to us “the way of God more accurately.” 

 A Love for the Truth

If a man loves his wife, he will be willing to sacrifice his own comfort for her.  If a mother loves her child, she will be willing to give herself in sacrifice for her little one.  Further, if you obey the greatest commandment and “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:29-30), you will be willing to sacrifice all you are and all you have for God Himself.

Not only this.  We cannot separate God from His Word.  In fact, His Word is a revelation of Himself!  His Word is an expression of His very character and nature, His plans and desires, His will and ways.  When we read God’s Word, we have an insight into how God thinks and what He wants.   Scripture has been called a “transcript” of God’s very character.  This is especially true as we read further into Scripture, from the first to the last, since God revealed     Himself progressively over the centuries, and manifested Himself completely in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thus, since we cannot separate God from His Word, if we love God with all of our being, we will love the expression of Himself in His Word.  Because we love Him who is personal  truth, we will love that which He has revealed–propositional truth.  Further, it is not a matter of simply dealing with cold, abstract facts.  While many facts are present in Scripture, there is much more than this.  The Word of God is the communication of His soul to our loving soul, the revelation of His will to those whom He loves and who love Him!

If John loves Mary yet is separated from her by hundreds of miles, it may be assumed that he will communicate with her by letters.  He writes of himself, his plans, his likes and dislikes, and his care for her.  Suppose that he visits his beloved three months later and discovers a pile of his unopened letters in her house.  She explains to him that she really does love him but she is not that interested in his letters.  We know that this would be preposterous!  If Mary actually loved John, she would anxiously look for his letters.  She would eagerly open and read them.  She would read them again and again.  His words would go over and over in her mind and she would find herself meditating on the content of his correspondence.  Why?  Because she loves John!  Likewise, if we truly love God, we will love His written Word!  If we love the God of truth, we will be very interested in what that truth may be.  We will love not only God but also love His truth since we cannot separate Him from His will.

Let us discuss this for a moment.  God is a God of truth.  He is referred to as “Him who is true” (1 John 5:20; cf. Rom. 3:4), thus “it is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2).  The Lord Jesus Christ is “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14; cf. v. 17), and He declared, “I am . . . the truth” (John 14:6).  Paul adds, “Truth is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:21b).  Further, the Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13).  John even says, “The Spirit is the truth” (1 John 5:7).  In summary:

• . God is truth
• . Christ is truth
• . The Holy Spirit is truth

But truth would do us no good unless it is revealed to us.  Therefore, God revealed His Word as the Word of truth (John 17:17); Christ came to “bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37); and the Holy Spirit was sent to “guide” the apostles “into all the truth” (John 16:13; cf. 2 Peter 1:20-21).  The only conclusion that we can come to is that one who loves God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, will indeed have a fervent love for the Word of God, the Scriptures!  The one who would love the personal “Word” of God (John 1:1, 14) will love the written Word of God.  One who loves the personal “Truth” of God will love the written truth of God.  Let us express it this way:   Love for God equals Love for God’s Word One who loves God will love His mind, heart, plans, desires, and revealed Word!

It should be clear that we should love and desire and long for God’s word.  Notice how this love for God’s Word is revealed in various ways.  Peter says that we are to be like “newborn babes,” who “long for the pure milk of the word, that by it [we] may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2).  The term “long” is from the Greek epipotheo and it means “to long for greatly” (W.E. Vine).  If we were to withhold nourishment from a baby, he would let us know what he wants.  An infant has an earnest longing for milk!   In fact, the infant needs milk for his own nourishment and growth.  Likewise, we are to have an earnest longing for the truth of God’s Word.

Perhaps the most vivid description of loving the Word of God is found in Psalm 119.  Whoever wrote this portion of Scripture had a hunger for God and His Word that is expressed in dozens of verses.  Here are a sample:

“I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches” (v. 14).

“My soul is crushed with longing

After Your ordinances    at all times” (v. 20).

“I shall delight in Your commandments,

Which I love” (v. 47).

“How sweet are Your words to my taste!

Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (v. 103).

“I love Your commandments

Above gold, yes, above fine gold” (v. 127).

“I opened my mouth wide and panted,

For I longed for Your commandments” (v. 131).

Verse like these could be multiplied (read the entire Psalm).  If the writer could have this kind of love, hunger, thirst, and longing for the Law of God (the first five books of the Old Testament), should we not have a similar or even greater love, hunger, thirst, and longing for the entire revelation of God (Genesis through Revelation)?  If the psalmist could love God’s revelation of Law, should we not have an even greater love for His revelation of love and grace in the gospel of Jesus Christ (John 1:17)?

Do we have an attitude toward truth as did the psalmist?  Do we hunger and thirst for truth?  Do we long to read, study, understand, meditate, and walk in the Word of God?  Stopford Brooke wrote, “If a thousand old beliefs were ruined in our march to truth, we must still march on.”  Is such a quest our consuming passion in life?

Those Who Love the Truth

Have you heard of Demetrius?  John writes of him and says that this brother in the Lord had received a good “testimony” from everyone.  Beyond this, he received such a testimony “from the truth itself” (3 John 12).  Truth witnessed to Demetrius’ character and interest in the truth.  Truth was important to Demetrius and to John as well.  In fact, John emphasizes the value of this truth:  Believers are those who “know the truth” (2 John 1) and who consistently are “walking in truth” (2 John 4; 3 John 3, 4).  They should “love in truth” and be “fellow workers with the truth” (3 John 1, 8).  Are you one who values the truth of God like this?

Although an honest pursuit of truth is rare on earth (in our day as well as in former periods), there are those in various places who do seek truth with all of their hearts.  God will reward these searching  hearts.   How?   With   more truth!  If they are willing to lay aside the falsehood, lies, misconceptions, unbelief, and errors of their past, the Lord will lead them to His truth.  Someone has remarked, “Light received brings light; light rejected brings night.”  If one rejects the light of truth, he will receive darkness–more falsehood, including religious falsehood (cf. 2 Thess. 2:10-12).  On the other hand, if one receives the light of truth and walks in it, God will reveal even more light for him to believe and obey.  Jesus said, “If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself” (John 7:17).   Jesus declared:

          This is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.  For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God (John 3:19-21).

Truth-seeking is rare because it requires one to leave the comfortable but false views, opinions, beliefs, practices, doctrines, and even lifestyle of the past.  It may require extensive and far-reaching sacrifice of all we have.  It may involve the loss of time, money, sleep, friends, job, family, health, house, acceptance,   security,   and all  your  earthly  dreams.  Jesus, of course, warned us of this:  “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s shall save it” (Mark 8:34-35; cf. Matt. 5:10-12; 10:16-32; Luke 6:22-23).  No one can become a follower of Christ Jesus unless he is willing to suffer for His sake (Phil. 1:29; 2 Tim. 3:12), and no one can become His follower without a willingness to believe and follow His truth (John 8:12; 12:35-36).

Lovers of Truth Today

While truth-seeking is rare, there are those whose hearts have been touched by “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17) and have accepted “the word of truth” (Eph. 1:13).  They have had a sincere “love of the truth so as to be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10).  Consider several examples (the names have been changed):

John was a minister in a denominational church who was confronted with truth he had never seen or studied before.  “How could my conservative fellowship be wrong,” he reasoned.  “Surely the leaders have studied this and have the answers.”  Sadly, he discovered that the church authorities were unwilling to consider Scriptural teaching but, instead, entirely rejected it.  Devoting serious attention to research, John and his wife, Sue, read as fully and carefully as possible.  They researched, examined, and inquired as widely as they could.  Eventually they came to see the truth as never before and humbly submitted themselves to it.  Although rejected by their church group, this couple rejoiced in the truth that God had revealed to them.

Although she had grown up in a well-known traditional religion and considered herself a member of Christ’s true church, Debbie began to study the Bible to see for herself.  Amazingly, she discovered that there was extensive false doctrine in her religious body!  This young woman then believed that she was “born again” and entered an evangelical church.  Over the years Debbie continued to be open to the Scriptures and God revealed more and more to her.  Eventually she was presented with truth that she had nearly overlooked in the past–truth on conversion, on the narrow way that Christ brings, on the deceitfulness of worldliness, and on baptism into Christ.  In deep repentance, this young women believed and obeyed the truth–and was thus forgiven by her gracious Savior.  A prominent theme over the years has been her continued pursuit of truth from the Scriptures.

One couple’s search for truth took them from a traditional, liturgical denominational to a more evangelical church which majored on salvation (as they understood it) but gave little emphasis on holiness.  Bob and Jane could not be content with this partial message.  Seeking for answers, they became part of a group emphasizing holiness along with religious tradition.  Once again, they knew this was not the answer, thus they continued to pursue other aspects of truth.  Eventually the truth of conversion-salvation became clear to them, and they joyfully yielded to the Lord in what He revealed to them.  They continued on with truth as their earnest desire and abiding comfort.

Steve was a young boy with religious upbringing who was awakened to God’s word while he was an adolescent.  He knew that only the truth of God could make him free from sin, yet he also knew that vast numbers were religiously deceived within religious denominations.  God revealed more and more as he continued his diligent study so that eventually he turned his back on the church of his family and ancestors, entering a more Biblically-based body.  The Lord continued to show more and more as Steve applied himself to earnest and prayerful studies.  After some years, he came to see that he had earlier submitted to a partial gospel which deviated from the pure gospel of grace in the person of Christ crucified.  Through this procedure, the young man turned to the truth of the gospel and came to know God through Christ.  His theme since that time has been the study and communication of truth that others may believe and obey.

For some years Michael had been a pastor of a devoted and conservative church of a well-known denomination.  Life was going well for this young minister but one thing seemed to destroy the harmony of his own life: He was open to truth!  Through a unique chain of events, he was challenged to examine his beliefs and practices closely.  This he determined to do.  He studied the Scriptures.  He researched history.  He sought help from “experts” and leaders.  These answers only served to show him the truth and reveal the fallacy of his earlier practice.  Michael could only submit himself to the truth he had learned–but this led to his rejection and ostracism.  This is the consequence that truth-seekers often must accept if they choose to receive and speak the truth that God shows them.

Miriam had sought God’s will and made extensive changes in her life as God revealed them to her.  Although she had been raised in a religious and conservative household, she had simply overlooked many practical expressions of God’s will for her life personally as well as her role as wife and mother.  The Scriptures became her daily companion as Miriam searched for an understanding of practical truth.  Not only did she make great alterations in her lifestyle, Miriam also discovered a truth far more basic than she earlier imagined–her own need for a relationship with God through Scriptural faith and baptism. She continues to maintain this priority by studying the Word and communicating to others the truth that God shows her.

These examples are rare.  As we have pointed out, most people are content to continue as they have always been–living in deception, tradition, and false ways.  But these people and others have been willing to think, listen, read, study, question, examine, and check things out in order to come to the truth.  They have been willing to study the Bible, compare translations, check the original languages, consult word studies and dictionaries, and other reference works.  They have written letters, made phone calls, researched in the library, inquired of their church authorities, read historical studies, been open to correction, and refused to accept lame excuses or arguments from tradition.   They have approached the Word with great respect, prayed earnestly to the Lord for light, and when this light was given, they were willing to walk in it.  They were willing to take the Scriptures seriously, believe what they discovered, and obey what they came to believe.

In a world of religious confusion, theological diversity, ecclesiastical tradition, and rampant deception, we sometimes must go to this length to find the truth that lies open on the pages of Scripture.  The words of God to Israel during the Exile are applicable today to those lost in the quagmire of religious deception:  “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13).  Are you willing to be one of the FEW who are willing to apply themselves to a pursuit of truth–a diligent search that will require all of your heart?

Although truth-seekers are rare, yet they may be found scattered across the land.  Jesus said:

          Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.  For the gate is small, and way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it (Matt. 7:13-14).

The Lord says in this passage that “many” will enter the “wide” gate and walk the “broad” way that “leads to destruction.”  On the other hand, “few” will enter the “small” gate and walk the “narrow” way that “leads to life.”  As we relate this to our present discussion, we know that the broad way is the way of falsehood–including religious false teaching and practice (cf. Matt. 7:15-23).  The narrow way is the way of truth–the saving truth of God that leads us to eternal life.  Which gate will you enter, which way will you travel, what destination do you want?

God’s Truth on Vital Teachings

Until now we have been speaking mostly in generalities.  Truth is important but this truth pertains to a wide variety of teachings in Scripture.  What are some of these vital areas of truth that are sometimes violated or twisted in our day?  Notice several categories of truth, with certain deviations from truth listed below each topic:

(1)  God the Father

• . Jesus is actually God the Father
• . We humans may
  

  (2)  The Lord Jesus Christ

  become God ourselves

• . God is a Father to us, but not a Judge

• . Jesus was only a human being
• . Jesus was not the Son of God
• . Jesus did not suffer for our sins
• . Jesus did not bodily rise from the dead
• . Jesus only has love, but has no wrath
• . Jesus must be Savior to us but need not be Lord

(3)  The Holy Spirit

• . The Spirit is not personal
• . The Spirit does not dwell in believers
• . The Spirit is virtually a retired author

(4)  Salvation

• . Man can achieve his own salvation
• . Human works are the basis of one’s standing with God
• . Salvation is all of God, apart from human initiative
• . Faith may lack Scriptural content and still save
• . Faith need not be trust in Jesus and His saving death
• . Repentance of sin is not needed for forgiveness
• . Baptism has no place in our faith-response
• . Baptism saves little babies
• . Baptism is not for the forgiveness of sins
• . One is unconditionally secure regardless of sin
• . There are various ways of salvation
• . God accepts people “unconditionally”

(5)  Various Teachings

• . We need not obey Jesus to be saved
• . God is unconcerned about the exact organization of the congregation
• . Any “church offices” are acceptable to God
• . We can worship God any way we choose
• . We can have spiritual fellowship with anyone
• . Withdrawal of fellowship from the sinful is optional
• . God will not judge fornicators and adulterers
• . We may wear human and denominational names
• . God does not mind if we live in worldliness
• . God is unconcerned with what kind of education our children receive
• . We can serve God however we choose
• . God does not mind if we do not live in absolute holiness and purity

Obviously, we could continue with these lists.  For every true teaching, there are probably several  false teachings.  This shows the extreme importance of seeking the truth of God on these and other matters from the source of all truth–the holy Scriptures (John 16:13; 17:17).  Let this motivate you to not just seek “truth” in general, but divine truth on all subjects–especially that which pertains directly and immediately to your salvation from sin and acceptance by God through Christ.

A Reaction Against Truth

Since God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4), we can see why Satan will do all within his power to oppose this longing of God.  The devil “does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him” (John 8:44), thus he seeks to draw people away from the truth of God lest they be saved from sin and judgment.  He “veils” the truth of the gospel and “blinds” the minds of the unbelieving against the truth (2 Cor. 4:3-4).  His earnest desire is to keep the vast majority of people in spiritual deception and away from the saving truth of God.  We may communicate the word of Christ boldly (Eph. 6:19-20) and clearly (Col. 4:4), but many are so spiritually blinded that they cannot or will not see the truth that lies before them.

I have seen this illustrated on many occasions.  The Lord has given me the privilege of distributing tens of thousands of tracts and booklets over the years, in person and through the mail, but only a very few of the recipients respond in any positive way.  I have shared truth on many subjects with numerous people, yet the majority have either been unconcerned or their minds are so deceived by false teaching that they go their way without embracing the truth.

As an example, I have proclaimed the word of Christ to those at charismatic “prosperity” conferences, but have been dismayed with the negative reaction that was aroused by the proclamation of truth.  Blinded by their deceived leaders, they seemingly are insensitive to the Spirit’s convicting power through “the manifestation of truth” (2 Cor. 4:2; 2 Pet. 2:2-3; Matt. 15:14).  In Watchtower Witnesses conventions, I have been astonished at the coldness and hardness of hearts of these devotees as I have sought to share Scriptural literature and publicly proclaim the word of truth (2 Tim. 4:3-5).  While I have seldom seen the amount of suspicion and hatred of the truth as manifested by these groups, other people at religious gatherings have likewise opposed truth to one degree or another.  The very same opposition encountered by  Paul, Barnabas,  and  others  in the first century (Acts 13:45) will be faced by God’s people today as they go about sharing the message of  truth to those in spiritual error.

One of the interesting, but disappointing, circumstances I have frequently noticed is that of religious and conservative people who appear to have an interest in spiritual things and claim to be open to truth, but who actually have closed their eyes to further light. They profess to know God (Titus 1:16a), claim that they want to know God’s will (Matt. 23:29-33), and assert their devotion to God’s word (Rom. 2:17-20), but seem to have little interest in reading, studying, searching, and examining further to determine whether what they currently believe and practice is really true and Scriptural (cf. Acts 28:24-27).  Though maintaining that they love the truth, they are more attached to their confessions of faith, ecclesiastical traditions, and religious leaders than a whole-hearted devotion to God’s objective truth.  An earnest love and desire for God’s truth is a rare but vital trait in one who would please God.

A word needs to be said here about one of the greatest hindrances of truth today–and in all ages.  We refer to the tendency to rely upon one’s own subjective feelings, opinions, ideas, impressions, and experiences.  This focus may be expressed in various ways:

• . “I feel that God would not mind if I did this.” 
• . “The Lord told me to send $100 to Brother Joe’s television program.” 
• . “The Spirit led me to become a member of St. James’ Episcopal Church.”
• . “God told me to baptize my little baby.”
• . “I felt led to vote for Dr. Smith to be the next Bishop and Denominational Overseer.”
• . “The Spirit prompted me to join the Marines.”
• . “I don’t care what Paul said.  I know what I’ve experienced!”
• . “God said to go back to the Methodist Church.”
• . “I know what the Bible says, but God gave me another husband!”
• . “Yes, I know what the great commission of Christ says, but Jesus saved me at an evangelistic crusade.  You can’t question that because I know what I’ve experienced!”

 The reason that this subjective focus is so dangerous is that people are willing to accept their own inner impressions, thoughts, and desires as being of greater importance than the very word of God.  They are willing to place these subjective feelings and ideas higher than the objective truth of Scripture.  They somehow convince themselves that God is talking to their spirits and telling them to do something or not do something–regardless of what God has already revealed about His will in the Bible.  How deceitful!  How utterly dangerous!  Again and again in Scripture God warns us that we must not rely upon that which is within us:

         “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool” (Prov. 28:26a).

• “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).
• “A man’s way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23).
• “. . . a rebellious people, who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts” (Isa. 65:2).
• “Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, even these prophets of the deception of their own heart . . . ?” (Jer. 23:26).

Since the heart can be so deceived (Jer. 17:9) and we are warned about deceiving ourselves (1 Cor. 3:18), we must not rely upon our hearts, minds, or spirits to lead us aright.  Rather, we must place all of our confidence in the already-revealed, confirmed, and established written Word of God.  We know that the revelation of truth communicated to us by Christ, His apostles, and His prophets is absolutely true (cf. John 12:48; 16:13; 17:8; 19:35; 1 Cor. 14:37; Eph. 2:20; 3:3-5).  Therefore, we must be willing to judge all of our experiences, thoughts, and impressions by the written truth of Scripture.  Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day” (John 12:48).  The objective truth of God is our only standard.

Even among those who respond to Christ Jesus and His good news for salvation, there is the need for constant vigilance lest they turn away from the truth they have accepted.  Satan never gives up in his attempts to win people back to his kingdom of darkness through following him rather than following Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 5:15).  Is this really a threat?  Indeed it is!  I have  observed it on numerous occasions.  Paul writes of certain men who “turn away from the truth” (Titus 1:14).  James says that a brother may “stray from the truth” (James 5:19).  The Hebrew writer says that we must beware of “sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth” and thus be judged by God (Heb. 10:26).  While some erroneously deny that a truly saved person can be lost, this writer points out that these sinful and unrepentant persons will receive God’s judgment (vv. 27,30), fire (v. 27), punishment (v. 29), and vengeance (v. 30).

Yes, the unbeliever may react against the truth of God that is lovingly communicated to him.  And the believer who has accepted God’s truth may later turn away from it to sin and false teaching.  Let us determine not to fall into either of these traps– “in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11).

What is the solution to this tragic condition of one who knows the way of truth and righteousness and then turns from it (2 Pet. 2:20-22)?  The Lord’s bondservant must reach out again to these people in “correcting those who are in opposition” (2 Tim. 2:24-25a).  Why?  Paul answers:  “Perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (vv. 25b-26).  James adds that one who reaches a brother or sister who “strays from the truth” and “turns him back,” will actually “save his soul from death” (James 5:19-20; cf. Gal. 6:1; Jude 22-23).  Although many ones who drift into error and evil will be lost forever, the Christian must seek to bring them back to the truth from which they departed.

Our Response to the Truth

We have learned much about truth and how much we should love it.  We have just noticed several examples of those who were willing to seek and accept truth regarding salvation itself or other elements of the way of God.  How should our love for truth be manifested?  Notice these ways:

          First, we should have a deep respect for God’s Word.  The Lord God said, “To this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at my word” (Isa. 66:2b).  It is true that the Scriptures consist of the words of men.  But this is not the full picture.  The Bible also constitutes the Word of God (cf. 1 Thess. 2:13).  Do you approach the Bible with deep reverence, respect, and even fear?  These are not merely human words–but the very message of God Almighty!  We must not question them, argue with them, or deny them.  We must not “distort” or “twist” them (cf. 2 Pet. 3:16). They are words that people will face in the Judgment (John 12:48).

          Second, we should approach the Word with total honesty and sincerity.  You will remember Jesus’ parable of the sower and four kinds of soil.  Our Lord says of the last type of soil:  “The seed in the good ground, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance” (Luke 8:15).  The “honest and good heart” will neither reject nor twist the message, but will respond positively to the Word with fruitful results.  Do you come to the Scriptures to read and study them with sincere honesty–being willing to see the truth that you read and respond to it?

          Third, we should come to the Word with humility.  The prideful person will think that he knows all he needs to know.  He will think that he is self-sufficient.  However, James says, “In humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21b).  The humble person will recognize his own limited knowledge and the Scriptures as the source of all the spiritual truth he needs.  He will humble himself before the truth wherever it may be found, whatever it may be, and whoever may bring it.  Are you willing to humble yourself before the will of God revealed in the Bible?

          Fourth, we must approach the Word with faith.  It is one thing to read a truth on the pages of Scripture; it is another to actually be willing to place your absolute faith in the truth that God reveals.  It is “faith in the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13b) that is necessary for salvation, and not simply a recognition that some fact is stated in the Bible.  Do you see the Scriptures as a book intended to produce faith and intended to be accepted by faith?

          Fifth, we must seek the truth of God with sincere and fervent prayer.  We opened this booklet by stating that we need God’s help in understanding His Word (2 Tim. 2:7).  We receive this divine help and spiritual enlightenment through prayer (cf. Psa. 119:18).    It was when Cornelius was praying in his house that God directed him to send for Peter to communicate truth (Acts 10:30-32; 11:14).  Paul spent three days praying and fasting before God sent Ananias to tell him the truth of what to do (cf. Acts 9:6, 9, 11).  Let us pray for wisdom (James 1:5), knowledge (Col. 1:9), and discernment (Phil. 1:9-10) as we seek the truth of God.

          Last, e must come to the Word with the intention of obeying what we discover.  James writes, “Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22).  Jesus also said that the “wise man” is the one who “hears” the words of Christ and “acts upon them” (Matt. 7:24-27).  It does no good to simply hear or read the Scriptures.  We must go beyond this exposure to actual obedience.  Faith in the truth must be manifested in obedience to the truth.  Obedience is largely overlooked in our day, but it is extremely important (Luke 6:46; John 14:15, 21-24).  We must apply what we learn.  Do you merely read the Bible?  Or do you actually obey the practical truth that you discover?

God tells us how he wants each of us to respond to the truth He has communicated to us through the Scriptures.  God says that we must. . . .

• . Seek the truth  (Prov. 2:1-6).
• . Love the truth  (2 Thess. 2:10).
• . Believe the truth  (2 Thess. 2:12-13).
• . Know the truth  (1 Tim. 2:4; 4:3; 2 John 1).
• . Obey the truth  (1 Peter 1:22).
• . Walk in the truth  (2 John 4; 3 John 3, 4).
• . Worship in truth (John 4:23-24)
• . Love in truth (1 John 3:18; 2 John 1; 3 John 1)
• . Speak the truth  (Eph. 4:15; Gal. 4:16).
• . Proclaim Christ in truth (Phil. 1:18).
• . Teach  in truth (Matt. 22:16).
• . Rejoice with the truth (1 Cor. 13:6).
• . Meditate on the truth (Phil. 4:8).
• . Practice the truth (1 John 1:6).
• . Be armed with truth (Eph. 6:14).
• . Be established in the truth (2  Pet. 1:12).
• . Handle accurately the truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

Having read these directives, how could anyone doubt that the truth is utterly important to God and absolutely essential to our salvation and life?  Someone has well expressed what our response to the truth should be:

          From the cowardice that shrinks from new truths,

          From the laziness that is content with half-truths,

          From the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth,

                   O God of truth, deliver us.

         Are You Open to Truth?

We have covered much ground, but all of it should lead to this fundamental question:  Do YOU have a spirit that is receptive to the truth of God?  If you do, the wealth of God’s Word is available to you!  God will show you “wonderful things” from His Word that you have never seen before (Psa. 119:18).  Amazing truths will open before you if you begin to read, study, and meditate upon His Word.  He will give you ample opportunity to believe and obey the truth that He reveals to your heart!  Receiving  God’s Word and discovering His will in it is exciting!  Trusting in His promises of truth and rejoicing in them are incomparable blessings!  To clarify this all-important issue in your own mind, ask yourself these questions and answer them with honesty:

(1)  Do you consider the hearing, reading, study, and learning of God’s Word to be your highest priority?

(2)  Do you allot regular times to read and study the Scriptures and is this sufficient to actually learn truth?

(3)  Do you pray to God for enlightenment, wisdom, and understanding of God’s will–thereby recognizing your utter need of Him, the God of truth?

(4)   Have you even made the first step in your spiritual life by responding to the good news of the Lord Christ Jesus for salvation–through repentance of sin and faith in Christ, expressed in the act of baptism?

(5)  Do you find the Scriptures to be comforting, interesting, encouraging, stimulating, challenging, and uplifting–or do you find many portions dry and boring?

(6)  Do you welcome Scriptural counsel from other brothers and sisters, or do you resent other people trying to instruct or counsel you?

(7)  Do you have a sincere love for the truth, even if it means you must change your thinking and behavior, or would you rather cling to past convictions and actions even if they are questionable or clearly wrong?

(8)  Are you willing to accept the truth on a given subject even if it is different from the beliefs of your family, friends or fellowship?

(9)  Do you tend to think that the words of Scripture are simply human ideas and opinions, or do you constantly bear in mind that they represent the very mind and will of God?

 (10)  Are you totally honest with yourself, with others, and especially with God in your response to the Word, or do you allow hidden desires and negative feelings to influence your response?

(11)  Are you content to learn the truth on a given subject but have no intention of applying it in a practical way to your life?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

There are few things in life so uplifting and joyous as seeing a newborn believer immediately begin to grow.  It is a thrill to observe such a person continue to mature in the faith, desiring to learn, conforming his life to Jesus, walking in the truth, seeking new light, open to correction, and sensitive to the word of instruction.  Such a believer will take every opportunity to learn:  Gathering regularly with the saints, meeting in small home studies, engaging in personal discussions, reading sound Scriptural books and tracts, perhaps listening to Scripture and teaching tapes, and using every other means available to grow in the faith.

May each of us truly seek to be a person who has an open, teachable spirit.  Let us diligently apply ourselves to an understanding of the Word.  Let us be receptive to the truth of God wherever it may be found and have the spiritual discernment to distinguish between the true and the false.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matt. 11:15).