Have you ever thought about this? TRUTH CAN NEVER REST IN PEACE. Let me borrow your thoughts for just a moment. In my morning devotion a few days ago, I was studying the word truth. Did you know that John, in his Book of the Bible, uses the word, truth 22 different times? I will start with this well-known verse to prime your thinking.
(1) John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (I love the verse in John’s Gospel that introduces who Jesus is to all mankind. He was made flesh, dwelt among us and He was full of grace and truth). (2) John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (3) John 1:17, For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (4) John 3:21, But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (5) John 4:23, But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. (6) John 4:24, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (7) John 5:33 Ye sent unto John, and he bares witness unto the truth. (8) John 6:14, Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, this is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. (9) John 7:40, Many of the people, therefore, when they heard this saying, said, of a truth, this is the Prophet. (10)John 8:32, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (11) John 8:40, But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have (12) John 8:44, Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it. (13) John 8:45, And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.(14) John 8:46, Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? (15) John 14:6, Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (16) John 14:17, Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. (17) John 15:26, But when the Comforter comes, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me: (18) John 16:7, Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.” THE TRUTH IS THE GAME CHANGER (19) John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (20) John 17:19, And for their sakes, I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (21) John 18:37, Pilate, therefore, said unto him, art thou a king then? Jesus answered, you said, that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice. (22) John 18:38,.Pilate said unto him, what is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews and said unto them, I find in him no fault at all.”You can see the re- curring theme of John’s Holy Ghost inspired writing is truth.
If it takes a lie to bind you, then it takes the truth to set you free. Did you know it is possible to hold the truth in unrighteousness? Romans 1:18,.”For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Romans 1:25, Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
You can actually limit the truth when you take truth out of context, so I will not do that to you but show you the full blast of Paul’s writings in Romans chapter 1. These are the issues Paul is talking about when he statesmen can hold the truth in un- righteousness:
“HERE IS WHY THE WRATH OF GOD IS REVEALED:
AGAINST ALL UNGODLINESS AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OF MEN, WHO HOLD THE TRUTH IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
THOSE WHO HAVE CHANGED THE TRUTH INTO A LIE.
THOSE WHO WORSHIP THE CREATURE MORE THAN THE CREATOR.”
God Reveals His Wrath Romans 1:18, The Passion Translation, ”For God in heaven unveils his holy anger breaking forth against every form of sin, both toward ungodliness that lives in hearts and evil actions. For the wickedness of humanity deliberately smothers the truth and keeps people from acknowledging the truth about God.
CONTINUING WITH ROMANS ONE; 19, Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shown it unto them.20, For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21, Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22, Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23, And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24, Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25, Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26, For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27, And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 28, And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things, which are not convenient; 29, Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31, Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32, Who knowing the judgment of God, that those who commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also have pleasure in them that do them. “
America is a long way from a story about George Washington chopping down his father’s prized cherry tree. The story is considered to be a myth, but it was told to show his integrity and honesty. If you are not familiar with the story, young George was given a hatchet when he was 6 years old and went around chopping things down. He even chopped down his father’s favorite cherry tree. To which he reluctantly admitted.
My morning musings in regard to truth brought me to the crucifixion of Jesus. They buried truth when they buried Him, but death could not hold Him. You can bury a lie, but not true because the truth will always have a way of rising again. He was accused of lying about who He really was, so they buried Him. Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm, which gives us insight into the anguish of the cross, i.e, that God would not leave His Darling to the dogs” (The Executioner). It begins with, “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me.”
I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE TIME TO CHECK THESE SCRIPTURES OUT, AND IN SO DOING, YOU WILL SEE THE VALUE OF TRUTH THROUGH A NEW PERSPECTIVE.
I love and appreciate your faithfulness in this continuing unusual time in history. I am with you in spirit and only a phone call away. My personal cell number is 859-653-6792.
I BELIEVE IN YOU,
PASTOR CLEDDIE KEITH