Truth Defines Repentance #1001

Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, (Acts 17:30, NKJV)

God’s commandment, that all people everywhere repent, necessarily implies the existence of a common standard by which to know the sins in one’s life. Additionally, His command implies that standard can be effectively used to bring about the repentance (change of heart) that pleases God. The inspired Scriptures are declared to be the standard of truth that identifies sin and righteously corrects it (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jno. 17:17). We cannot know our sin (what to repent of), much less know what form that repentance should take, without God’s standard of truth identifying our sin and showing us how to correct it. Our feelings cannot determine what is sin against God. The ancient world plunged into sin’s darkness because it rejected divine truth and relied on emotional, human wisdom for guidance (Eph. 4:17-19; Rom. 1:21-25). Let us be thankful that God’s commands include how to thoroughly equip ourselves for every good work. Then, let us obey Him in order to faithfully serve Him and be ready for the day of judgment (Acts 17:31).

Feelings Will Deceive You #1000

12  There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. 13  Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief. (Proverbs 14:12–13, NKJV)

The futility of trusting one’s feelings as a reliable guide for knowing right from wrong and truth from error is witnessed by the facade that emotions often display. Laughter may in fact hide sorrow, so that while one expresses mirth outwardly, grief exists within. This teaches us not to rely on what feels right, for they can mislead us even as they can mislead others. In contrast to “letting your conscience be your guide,” Scripture says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psa. 119:105). Divine truth, not human emotions, determine the way that pleases God. We must “buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding” by going to the word of God to know and practice the will of God (Prov. 23:23; Jas. 1:25).

Don’t be a Hater #958

A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin. (Proverbs 26:28, NKJV)

Lying does not build up others; just the opposite. Lies hurt, harm and crush the spirit and lives of those to whom they are told. Christians put away lying and “speak truth with his neighbor” (Eph. 4:25). We do not tell the truth only when it helps us, but then resort to lies when the truth is inconvenient. To think that way is not honest; it is self-serving deception. Note from today’s verse that telling a lie shows hatred toward the one to whom it is told. If you lie to someone, you are hating them, not loving them. Did you ever stop to realize that before telling a lie? Flattery is of the same nature; falsifying one’s true attitudes in order to gain an advantage with a person. Lying is a sin that crushes others, but most tragically, it finally crushes the liar with the eternal punishment of hell (Rev. 21:8). So, don’t be a hater; tell the truth.

“You are My disciples indeed” #938

31  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31–32)

The words of Jesus could not be more plain. Believers who abide in His word are truly His disciples. (We correctly deduce that believers who do not abide in His word are not truly disciples.) Furthermore, disciples who abide in His word shall “know the truth” and by the truth, be made free from sin. How very different this is from many who think any kind of belief is enough to please Jesus, make them a Christian and free them from sin. How very different this is from those who say truth is not absolute, definite or knowable with certainty. Jesus calls on us to believe Him and to continue in His word by knowing and following the truth. The word of Christ is the Christian’s place of residency. We live by His word, and although we are in this world, we are not of this world. Our citizenship is in heaven. Discipleship is our calling; We learn and we live the word of Jesus, the New Testament of Christ. Knowledge of the truth is our expectation, for we cannot continue in what we do not know. And, freedom from sin is our blessing from the Son, who makes us free indeed (Jno. 8:36). Saving faith learns, obeys and continues in the truth of Jesus.

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving” #921

4  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5  For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100:4–5, NKJV)

One’s worshipful praise of God expresses joyful thanks for His great blessings. Adoration is due Him by all who would come into His presence. Psalm 100 is a psalm of thanksgiving unto God. All the earth is pictured serving the Lord with gladness, and coming “before His presence with singing” (v. 1-2). As our Creator, He is due the honor of thankful praise (v. 3-4). Let us come into His courts with thankful praise because of His insurmountable character by which He blesses us: 1) His goodness. God is beautiful and deserving of our complete admiration. 2) His mercy. God is unfailing in His kindness, and is ever vigilant to show mercy “to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments” (Exo. 20:6). 3) His truth. Unfailing in its power to purify us, God’s word of truth endures forever (1 Pet. 1:22-25). God’s goodness, mercy and truth compel Christians to “enter His gates with thanksgiving” and praise His name. May we never overlook giving God the praise of thanksgiving.

Error from the Heart #919

1  And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2  “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the word of the Lord!’ ” 3  Thus says the Lord God: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!” (Ezekiel 13:1–3, NKJV)

Does it make a difference what you teach religiously, as long as you are sincere? Yes. Because it makes a different to God, it ought to make a difference to us. It is an insult against God to teach something as being from God, when in fact it only comes one’s own heart (mind or will). It is putting words into His mouth. Such lies against God by the false prophets of Israel were among the sins that led to the nation’s demise at the hands of the Babylonian empire (approximately 600 years before Jesus was born). Even now, more than a few sincere, religious people accept and promote the false teaching that “it doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere.” What Bible passage teaches that? Truth is God’s word, not what I choose to define as truth (Jno. 17:17). Only the truth of God that is revealed in the word of Christ will free us from sin. Only by abiding in the word of Christ are we truly His disciples (Jno. 8:31-32). Be sure to speak and obey His teachings, and not the teachings that originate in the human heart. The Scriptures reveal the difference (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Not Peddling the Word of God #915

For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:17, NKJV)

Religious hucksters who peddle the word of God hinder and harm the spread of God’s truth. The “prosperity gospel” that enriches its preachers while giving false hope to those captured by its promise of material wealth comes to mind. Then there are those who offer miracles and plead for your money so they can continue their curing crusade – all “in the name of Jesus.” (We speak as foolish people!) The apostles of Christ did not play on the covetous desires of their hearers, nor do we. They did not make merchandise of the word of God. Those who do so today deceive many, and help harden hearts against the truth. The apostles’ doctrine is about saving lost souls from sin, not lining the pockets of the peddlers of error (Acts 2:41-42). Paul said, “I do not seek yours, but you” (2 Cor. 12:14). He sought their salvation, not their material goods. Gospel preachers seek souls for Christ; False teachers seek souls for themselves. Beware those who handle the word of God deceitfully and adulterate the purity of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:2). How will you know the genuine gospel from the counterfeit, and the false teacher from the truth teacher? By their fruits you will know them (Matt. 7:15-20). Do they agree with the apostles of Christ? If not, they are not of God (read 1 Jno. 4:1, 6).

The Faith of God’s Elect #890

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, (Titus 1:1, NKJV)

A cohesion existed between Paul and the Christians (God’s elect) to whom he wrote – a cohesion that continues to exist between the apostles and Christians. Paul was a slave of God; his will was entirely given over to the will of his Owner. Likewise, Christians are slaves of God and of righteousness (1 Pet. 2:16; Rom. 6:16-17). Our will is to conform to the will of our Owner (Gal. 2:20). Paul was also an apostle, chosen by Christ and sent as a chosen vessel to bear witness of Christ to the nations (Acts 22:14-15; 26:16-18). “The faith of God’s elect” is produced by the apostolic preaching of God’s word (Rom. 10:14-17). Without the gospel they preached, we cannot be saved (Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:15-17). The gospel truth can be known (“acknowledgement” is from epignosis,  meaning “recognition, discernment, knowledge”), which produces godliness in those who will receive it. Our faith cannot exist independent of the apostolic teaching. It is that very teaching that informs us of our owners will and therefore, of our duty to Him as his bondservants. Let us listen to God’s word, discern His truth and live godly.

Fighting Against God #869

38  “So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39  but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.” (Acts 5:38–39, NASB)

Rabbi Gamaliel gave sound advice to the Jewish council members, some of whom “plotted to kill” the apostles (Acts 5:33). We never win when we fight against the purposes of God – we always lose. As Jesus told Saul during His appearance to him on the road to Damascus, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 9:5). Yet, people still fight against God’s word, His truth and His purposes. For example, Christ said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk. 16:16). But, many reply, “He who believes is saved and will be baptized.” Again, God said, “you have fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). But many say, “you cannot fall from grace.” And again, God said, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24). Yet, many say one is justified by “faith only.” Sadly, all these fight against God. It is a losing battle. Stand with God and His word, and do not “be found fighting against God.”

“Your Word is Truth” #866

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17, NKJV)

In an age when many people possess the mind of Pilate (who said, “What is truth?”), faithful Christians continue to affirm God’s word as truth (Jno. 18:38). Please note it is God’s word that is truth, not the word of human beings. The Bible is not a collection of the opinions men, or the fables of fallible men; it is the inspired, inerrant, communication of the mind of God to the world (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 2:10-13; 14:37). Divine truth has the power to sanctify sinners (“to purify, to consecrate, to make holy,” Jno. 17:19). Christians are “sanctified in Christ Jesus” and therefore, “called saints” (1 Cor. 1:2). The “Holy Scriptures” make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). Thus, when we believe and obey truth, we are set apart from sin and set apart unto Christ (2 Thess. 2:13-14). Have faith that God’s word is truth. It has power to save you and power to lead your life in holy and godly conduct.