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TRUTH
Truth — the concept, the quality, the reality, — is paramount to a balanced and contented life, a life anchored in stability and moral strength. Without the foundation of truth, there can only be physical and emotional disruption and pain. The existence of truth assures forward direction and enhancing progress, whereas its absence creates distraction and disorder. To put it in other words, truth is uniquely and inimitably fundamental to a state of well-being in any existing relationship, in any situation or plain of existence, with God or with human — the ultimate quality of a proper, a beneficial, and a rewarding life.
The essential concept of “truth” is anything that represents fact, i.e., that which is totally trustworthy and which exists in reality, substance and information that cannot be refuted. Yet, today, it is most unfortunate that such is rare within most all facets of society, e.g., personal relationships, politics, advertising, media broadcasts, economic opportunities, and religion. And it is regarding the latter that this study is directed, because if this aspect of life is correct, all else can and should appropriately follow.
The term “truth” represents “that which actually exists” and “that which is communicated.” The first would be creation itself, e.g., space, substance, and time. To deny such is futile. The material and laws that make up the Universe are indeed true. They exist, they are real, and any attempt to refute such leads to absurdity.
“Truth” stems solely from God (Exodus 34:6). His truth is eternal (Psalm 117:2).
And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6)
For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117:2)
Furthermore, since God is true, so is His Word — it is real, permanent, and absolute (Psalm 119:160; cf. John 17:17; 2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 43:3; 119:142, 151). Scripture is the very Word of truth and is to be handled correctly (2 Timothy 2:15). And central to Scripture is the gospel — God’s good news for mankind — which indeed is true (Galatians 2:5, 14; 5:7; Ephesians 1:13).
The entirety of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. (Psalm 119:160)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
. . . that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. (Galatians 2:5b)
God’s Word became flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ. He indeed was truth incarnate, the One who unequivocally stated that He was centrally “the Truth” (John 14:6), for He was “the Word” [clear expression] of God who was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14, 17).
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (14) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of [lit. complete, to the brim with] grace and truth. (17) For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:1, 14, 17)
. . . the truth is in Jesus. (Ephesians 4:21b)
Not only in God’s time was God’s Word manifest in the flesh, but it was given in written form by means of the Holy Spirit through chosen men prior to and after the time of its manifestation for the benefit of mankind.
For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God . . . . (2 Timothy 3:16a)
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
God’s Word, inscribed and in the flesh, has always been “the Truth” for the salvation of man:
1) Salvation of the Spirit — eternal salvation based solely on the work (sacrifice) of Christ on the cross — salvation that emanates from the grace of God that is grounded in and based solely on Christ’s payment for sin while on the cross at Calvary, which may only be apprehended by faith in Christ (never by any work/s of man) and which, when received by faith, can never be withdrawn or nullified by man or God.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8, 9)
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. (Ephesians 1:13)
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
2) Salvation of the Soul — an inheritance that may only be achieved by a Christian who faithfully follows Christ during this temporal life, a salvation that may only affect his entrance and participation with Christ during His Millennial Kingdom reign of 1,000 years over the earth — reserved for those Christians who achieve spiritual maturity (sanctification) via God’s Word and who thereby produce “good works” for which they were “created in Christ Jesus.” And although a primary aspect of this salvation is “faith,” it is the quality of a Christian’s faithful works, credited at Christ’s Judgment Seat, which will secure his placement in the coming Kingdom, a placement that will be forfeited should a Christian remain “carnal (‘babes [spiritually immature] in Christ’) and devoid of “good works” during this lifetime.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (25) For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (26) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (27) For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” (Matthew 16:24-27)
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. (10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (11) Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men . . . . (2 Corinthians 5:9-11a)
Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” (39) But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:38, 39)
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. (James 2:24)
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth. (John 17:17)
Receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:9)
(Note: Man is a tripartite being composed of spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12). Scripture addresses the salvation of each. To study this complete redemptive doctrine more thoroughly, it is recommended that the reader read Salvation of the Soul by Arlen L. Chitwood, which may be accessed from the homepage of the website: www.bibleone.net)
In addition to the “actuality of existence” as truth, Scripture lays great emphasis on the necessity of communicating the truth. To put it another way, God would have man to strictly and always tell the truth. Scripture is quite firm on this issue.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16; cf. Deuteronomy 5:20)
You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. (Exodus 23:1)
You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. (Leviticus 19:11)
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue. (Psalm 120:2)
He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit. (Proverbs 12:17; 14:5)
Therefore, putting away lying, let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25; cf. Colossians 3:9)
In this regard, the opposite of telling the truth is to tell a lie, an act that God hates.
These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: (17) a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, (18) a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, (19) a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19; cf. 19:5, 9; cf. Zechariah 8:16, 17)
“And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know Me,” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:3; cf. Isaiah 59:4)
. . . no lie is of the truth. (1 John 2:21b)
Finally, it is your responsibility and privilege to represent, to live by, and to always tell the truth. If your reputation is one where others declare that “your word is your bond” and that “your handshake is better than a contract,” you are most blessed. In this day and age where a lie is preferred over the truth (at every level), you would be a rarity. Be one for Christ and you will not be disappointed at His Judgment Seat! |