Truth Makes Christians
A perverted gospel cannot save. Jesus declared that it is the knowledge of Truth, not the belief of error, that makes men free (John 8:32). Though a perverted gospel may have in it all the elements of the true Gospel, its power to save is lost in perversion. Bread is God’s power to quell the hunger, but the admixture of a poisonous element—a spoonful of arsenic, for instance, in a loaf of bread—would destroy its power. Water is God’s power to quench the thirst, but the admixture of salt will destroy the quenching power of water.
The Gospel is God’s power to save the soul, but its admixture with error—the doctrines and commandments of men, when heard and believed—destroys its saving power. Hence, Paul’s alarm concerning the perverters at Galatia: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:6-7).
Error preached, error heard, and error believed cannot result in the Truth obeyed. No man can accidentally obey God. The Truth preached, the Truth believed, and the Truth obeyed makes a Christian. Nothing else does. How careful then men should be in their handling of it!
Foy E. Wallace, Jr. – deceased
The Truth Sometimes Hurts
How much do you appreciate the truth? The truth is easy to hear when it is flattering, encouraging and uplifting. However, the truth can sometimes hurt. Do you always desire the truth from those around you, regardless of whether it is favorable or not? Do you always demand the truth from those who preach and teach the gospel of Christ?
The truth pleased the rich young ruler until Jesus told him the one thing he lacked (Mark 10:17-22). Some would call such a declaration of truth unloving, but the Spirit called it love (note verse 21). How do we feel when someone courageously and honestly points out our shortcomings (Prov. 27:6)?
Some of the Jews who heard Peter on Pentecost appreciated the truth, though it indicted them. They chose repentance and baptism (Acts 2:36-40). Whereas, those Jews who heard Stephen speak that same truth hated what was spoken. They responded by stoning Stephen to death (Acts 7:54-60). How do we respond to the truth?
The Galatians loved the apostle Paul—so much that at one point they were willing to pluck out their own eyes and give them to Paul. However, in the very next verse, Paul was compelled to ask if he had become their enemy because he told them the truth (Gal. 4:14-16). Do we despise those who tell us what we need to hear?
Simply stated, unless we have a love of the truth, we will never appreciate the truths that hurt (2Thess. 2:10-12). Unless we are willing to accept painful truths, we cannot know the sanctifying power of truth (John 17:17). Unless we obey the truth, we will be condemned (Rom. 2:8).
How much do you appreciate truth? The answer is painfully obvious when we are confronted with agonizing truths that require change in our lives. Change hurts, but the truth saves. How will you respond the next time you are confronted with the truth?
C. Lected
What Is Truth?
Of course, we all recognize this as the question Pilate, the governor of Judea, asked the Lord as recorded in John 18:38. Pilate’s original query of Christ was in response of the accusation the Jews that opposed Jesus and sought to rid themselves of the one who drew the people away from their evil influence as He preached the truth of the coming kingdom.
Many people over the years have asked the same question Pilate asked, but for different reasons. In the past couple of years, I’ve heard folks use the ridiculous phrase “my truth” or “their truth” as if any “truth” is acceptable. Did not Jesus, in John 8:32 state, “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”? Christ’s use of the article “the” in this statement, shows that there is only one truth.
Because of this, more folks should search to see where that one truth is found. According to Col. 1:5, the hope laid up in heaven is found in the truth of the gospel. Additionally, God has provided warnings for all who refuse or reject truth. One passage where this is found is 2Thess. 2:12, where all will be damned (condemned) who believe not (obey not) the truth.
Why not search God’s Word for truth, learn it, obey it, and follow truth daily? To do otherwise is to condemn your own soul.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
