08/04/2020
Do we value truth above all else? If we do then how much of our lives are spent on obtaining it? Some of us say that we value truth in this way, but we reveal our actual selves as we pursue the real treasures we hold dear; quickly devising a lie, or holding back the truth by not speaking it, just to obtain those things. Here are two question for us to consider today: are we willing to sell everything we own to follow after, and obtain, absolute truth, and the second is, once we have found it, are we willing to lay down our lives in its defense?
“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”
Proverbs 23:23 ESV
So we say that we search for truth, but what is that really, and where can we find it? God’s Word is truth, He in incapable of telling a lie, and as we search for God within His Word, we are also seeking Truth.
so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”
Hebrews 6:18 ESV
Jesus is also truth, because He is the Son of God, and and as such carries God’s nature of truth within Him...
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 ESV
And, the Holy Spirit is truth. He was requested by Jesus, and sent to be with us, and dwell in us, by God. Jesus refers to Him as the Spirit of Truth...
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
John 14:16-17 ESV
Everyone who is born, or born again, of God carries in them either His Truth itself, or an unquenchable thirst for that truth. Those who seek God, and Jesus Christ, will ultimately find truth, because God has imparted His truth to Jesus, and when we meet God’s Holy Spirit, Jesus tells us specifically that the Spirit will lead us into truth because He speaks on God’s behalf.
Now back to our two questions... First, “Are we willing to sell everything we own to follow after, and obtain, absolute truth?” It costs us nothing to want to abide in truth, but it can cost us everything when we take action on that desire. A transformed life sounds wonderful, and promises us something new, but it also requires us to leave behind all we knew before. I like to cook, and the other morning I made sausage balls. I followed the recipe, and mixed all of the ingredients together, I had such things as cheese, sausage, pepper, and flour, but once I had mixed all of these together they became something quite different... they were transformed, and I would never again be able to extract them from one another. Our lives of faith are like that; once we are transformed our old selves are lost, and what we are left with is something amazingly different. So, are we willing to give up all the ingredients in our lives in exchange for sausage balls? Each of us must make that decision.
Second, “Are we willing to lay down our lives in its defense?” Peter talked the talk when it came to defending Jesus, and then he almost immediately lied three times about being associated with Him. Later, after Peter had come to know the Holy Spirit, and what it truly meant to follow Jesus, he paid with his life. As a matter of fact, every Apostle except John lost their lives in some horrible manner as they delivered the gospel truth throughout the world, and defended the faith. Not all of us will pay a price for the truth in such an extreme fashion, but we will all find that it costs us something... it requires a toll, and requires at least a willingness to sacrifice who we once were. Are we willing to lay down our old lives? How about our new transformed one?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for calling us to exchange who we once were for your truth. Thank you Holy Father for your Word which is the essence of that truth, and the high price you have placed upon it. Nothing of great value is obtained without great cost, and your truth, though much sought after, requires much from us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is Love, and truth. Great are you who calls us to you, and gives us the burning desire to love you. Praise your name for blessing us as we walk in your truth, and for both the bounty that you provide us, and the portion you ask us to return to you in exchange for the new persons we are becoming. You are worthy Lord, and our lives are small fare for the journey we are on towards you. Your Mercy, and grace, cover every shortage we experience as we walk in your truth, and the blood of Jesus prepares us in fine fashion for our arrival before you. Hear our prayers Father, as we pray your word in all of its truth, and witness our tears of joy as we catch sight of the freedom we find in you. Lead us to you table Father, and feed us the bread of truth, and pour out the sweet wine of your love. Seat us there forevermore that we might glorify you throughout eternity.
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””
John 8:31-32 ESV
Rich Forbes