By definition, truth is reality. It’s not what we may assume about truth or necessarily what we believe to be true. Truth is factual. It’s not covered up, nor do inconsistencies adorn it. It is not adulterated.
Untruth can be dangerous. What if we believe we can breathe underwater for five seconds before drowning? That falsehood might mean our death. Truth is genuinely necessary for living. Believing a lie and living it can make miserable lives.
Where Is Truth?
The Apostle Paul said that all scripture is “God-breathed,” 2 Timothy 3:16. Truth comes from God. The facts about our universe come from Him. The fact that He is spirit is true. You find the ultimate, soul-satisfying truth in the Bible. We cannot live eternally without the spiritual truth found in the Bible.
Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” Matthew 4:4. He said God’s word is truth, John 17:17. People are saved from hell by truth, and they go to heaven by truth, again, John 17:17.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul said the gospel saved the Thessalonian Christians, as it is, the truth of God. He also said the Holy Spirit taught the things the apostles spoke, 1 Corinthians 2:13.
Understanding The Truth
The Scriptures have been truthfully transmitted (by the Spirit) and translated from Hebrew,
Greek, and the Septuagint (Greek version of the Old Testament). Using a Word-for-Word translation gets us to the original documents. Since that’s so, we can understand the Bible correctly. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus said that good and honest hearts receive the word, Luke 8:15. All it takes is for someone who loves the truth to search it out and find the message(s) God communicates.
Paul said that those who read his writings could understand them, Ephesians 3:4. So, it’s possible that anyone, everyone, with an honest heart, can understand God’s Word. We can understand the Lord’s will, Ephesians 5:17.
Jesus also said the blessed are the ones who hear (understand) the Word and keep it, Luke 11:28.
Living The Word
One has to live the truth to gain the benefits of eternal life. Therefore, we must be doers of the word, James 1:22. Since the Word is truth, when Jesus said those who believe are baptized shall be saved, Mark 16:16, then one must believe He is the Christ, Savior, God’s Son and be fully immersed in water for the express purpose of washing away sin, Acts 22:16.
After salvation, one must live a life devoted to God, believing His word, and living a moral life, Ephesians 4:17-32.
Living without truth sets one up for the judgment of hell on the Day of the Lord, 2 Thessalonians 2:10.
Conclusion
One must have the love of the truth. It’s as simple as that. Honest hearts seek truth, Hebrews 11:6. Good hearts live by it. Truth takes us to heaven. Our opinions get us as far as hell.
Contact us at garland.churchofchrist@gmail.com, subject: Truth. Sign up for our weekly devotional at https://biblepoints.org/bible-points.
You’ll receive spiritual teaching and love at the Matthews St. church of Christ in Bay City, TX.
We have a Bible correspondence course we’ll be glad to send you. You can also meet with us via Zoom.
Your soul in heaven is our goal.
Garland Van Dyke
http://www.matthewsstreetchurchofchrist.com
https://biblepoints.org/bible-points
*Thoughts taken from an article by Wayne Jackson at https://christiancourier.com/articles/seven-important-truths-about-the-bible