SOME TRUTHS ABOUT THE TRUTH


Introduction

"Truth" means "reality." There is moral truth, as well as physical or secular truth, but in each case the "truth" is simply that which corresponds with what really is -- with reality. Those who live without regard to what God's Word says are simply behaving as if the spiritual universe did not exist, and their ignoring its reality does not change its presence any more than the reality of gravity is changed by the person on drugs who decides he can fly from the top of a building.

Attitudes Toward Moral or Spiritual Truth:

   1. Proverbs 23:23 -- buy it and sell it not.
   2. II Thessalonians 2:10-12 -- love it, or believe a lie.
   3. Galatians 4:16 -- do not count its bearer an enemy.
   4. II Peter 2:2 -- because of some it is evil spoken of.
   5. II Timothy 4:1ff -- some turn from it to fables.

Body

I. Truth is not the result of our head or our heart, our opinions or our feelings. It is the objective Word of God written in the Scriptures.

   A. Psalm 119:142, 151.

   B. John 17:17.

   C. John 18:37.

   D. I John 4:5, 6.

II. Not all who talk about the truth understand it. One might even substitute talking much about "the truth" for learning what it actually is specifically.

   A. Romans 2:17-20.

   B. I Timothy 1:5-7.

   C. I Timothy 6:3-5.

   D. II Corinthians 10:7, 12, 18.

III. Truth is bigger than we are. It doesn't depend on us for its endurance or its success. Truth never rests on the shoulders of any mortal man, group of men, organization or institution. II Corinthians 13:8.

IV. Truth is open, above board, honest and free of craftiness. Those who represent it well are careful to avoid deceit, untruth, or manipulation in their own lives. II Corinthians 4:1, 2.

V. We must strive for growth in the truth, even for perfection in understanding it, but we are saved in Christ while making the journey.

   A. John 14:6.

   B. I John 1:8-10.

   C. I John 5:20.

Conclusion

Let us love the truth because it represents reality. Let us remember that it is bigger than we are, that it does not depend on us for its success, that it is always open and free of guile. Let us strive for perfection, but rejoice that we are saved as we make the journey, because we are in Him who is the truth personified -- Jesus Christ our Lord.


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