“For this cause I [Jesus] was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” – John 18:37
When God created the heavens and the earth, there was only truth. But then, in the Garden … Adam and Eve were faced with something that was not from God, it was the lie of Satan. Jesus called Satan the father of lies because Satan gave birth to lies – that which is not Truth.
"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." – John 8:44
In the Garden, Satan said that God was deceiving Adam and Eve … but God is Truth. There can be no lies that come from God .. only Truth. It was Satan who lied. There is no life in Satan, only death. Adam and Eve chose to believe the lie, and death entered in through that sin.
So why is that important for you and me? Because if you want to know what is true – it is so hard to know nowadays – you must look to the author – the source of Truth – Jehovah God. Jesus came into the world to bear witness that God is Truth. If you want to know what is right and what is wrong .. do not look to the world .. to men … look to God.
Many people in the world call the United States a “Christian Nation” – but it is not. There are some things that the people in this country believe to be truth that is truth. But, there are many things that the people in this country believe that are true, that are not true – at least not according to the Giver of Truth.
“Pilate said to Him [Jesus], “What is truth?”” – John 18:38
Pilate, I think, was saying to Jesus that truth is relative – it is whatever the people agree is truth. There is no absolute truth. Wanting something to be true because it is convenient or fits what you want to do or not do does not make it truth.
“God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” – Romans 1:24-25
I am certain that you think of examples of this happening. But more than knowing the Truth – we must trust and obey the Truth. That can be difficult – but you already know that don’t you ? Many times we face problems in this life that just seem to be too big for us. Many of you reading this are carrying big problems in your heart. You face pressure from family, friends, your culture to embrace a lie or pay the consequence of being rejected or labeled – intolerant. The intolerance about which I write has to do with not accepting that which God makes clear is and is not Truth. There has been much sin that Christians have embraced as truth that was clearly not truth. But being found to be intolerant is like the story the Scarlet Letter. The scarlet letter was the letter “A” for adulteress. Hester Prynne was found guilty of adultery and had to wear that letter so everyone knew. Her sin was written on her clothing for all to see – and she was shunned. So maybe someone who intolerant will have to wear the letter “I”.
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me [Jesus] before it hated you.” – John 15:18
Do not expect the world to jump for joy when you expose a lie for what it is. Your quiet and gentle witness of the truth is a testimony of your faith.
“we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love” – Ephesians 4:14-15
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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