Plato once said, “No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.” If we really care about our society, about our friends, then there will be times when we must speak the truth even when we know they don’t want to hear it.
Recently a friend did that for me. He lovingly took me aside and shared with me some things I needed to hear. He did this knowing it might not be received well. That our friendship may be hurt or even broken because of it. And I’m thankful he cared enough to share the truth with me.
Would you allow your friend to go out in public if you knew his pants were unzipped? Would you allow them to drink something that you knew had been poisoned? These are easy decisions because they won’t harm your friendship. But would you talk to them about their immoral behavior if it were needed? Would you tell them the truth if they were in a toxic relationship? That they have a drinking problem, a drug addiction, an out-of-control temper. That they are lazy and refuse to work.
In Galatians 4:16 the Apostle Paul said, “Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” He was informing the Galatian Christians that false teachers were leading them astray from the true Gospel. They were slipping back into their old traditions. Paul was reminding them that there is only one Gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). This is one truth many today hate to hear. They believe there are many ways to God. But the “Truth” is there is only one way and that way is Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Friend, be careful on what you let the world tell you is truth. There are many false teachers in our world that will try and convince you that you can live anyway you want and still go to heaven. There are many who teach that God is Love, and therefore will not punish anyone. There are others that say there is no hell. These are all lies.
I say this knowing that some find me offensive and close minded. But being concerned that you’ll damage a relationship should never keep you from saying something that needs to be said. However, telling the truth doesn’t give anyone a license to be ugly or mean. Or to look down their nose. Before you share your truth make sure it is “The Truth” and not “Your Opinion.” And if you are convinced it’s the truth, then be sure to speak in love (1 John 4:7-12). Remember you can be right and still be wrong by how you share the truth. Ugly words, and unholy attitudes and outright meanness and judgmental attitudes have done more harm to the Church than anything else. Yes, we must stand for truth, but be sure when you do, you don’t become the very thing that drives them away because of your actions. Actions speak louder than words, and that’s the truth. Live what you teach.
Truth
The Ideal Congregation (Pt. 3)
The ideal congregation faithfully attends and supports the various public services of the church, whether the occasion be Bible study, worship, or other worthy efforts such as gospel meetings or related events. The inspired penman wrote, “and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works: Not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25).
Motivation to obey this biblical mandate is abundant: By so doing, one (1) obeys the command to study (2 Tim. 2:15), (2) better possesses the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5), (3) is better able to always give an answer for the hope within us (1 Pet. 3:15), (4) has opportunity to express thanks to and faith in our Father (Phil. 4:6; Heb. 11:6), (5) is more diligent (2 Pet. 1:5), (6) is better able to grow spiritually (2 Pet. 3:18), (7) may deepen fellowship with brethren (1 Cor. 12:14), (8) is edified (Eph. 4:12), (9) may exorcise the love of the world (1 John 2:15-17), and (10) will be present in the habitat of the Lord (Matt. 18:20). Though mandated biblically, let us assemble regularly because of our responsive love unto the Lord (1 John 4:19) which anxiously compels us unto good works (Eph. 2:10).
The ideal congregation responds positively when encouraged to better learn the truths of the will of God. Our spiritual screen must ever allow the fresh, gentle breeze of God’s word to penetrate deeply into the whole of our spiritual house. The attitude of the Ethiopian eunuch in relying on others as they were qualified to guide him is worthy of our imitation (Acts 8:30-31). Our spiritual screen must also be strong enough to prevent pests of error from entering our personal and congregational fellowship (Eph. 5:11).
To better develop an openness to learning truth both in breadth and depth, we must view ourselves as students truly in need of a greater measure of knowledge of God’s word. We must be committed to growing beyond spiritual infancy (Eph. 4:15). Such commitment, if not accompanied by decisive action designed to achieve and maintain spiritual growth, will be impotent in its impact in our lives. We must both plan and implement if genuine success is to be realized. Additionally, timely self-evaluation will enhance and support our personal efforts in expanding our knowledge of the will of God. Our full individual and corporate potential can indeed be attained as we open our minds to the wonder of his Word.
As Christians, our desire should be to better ourselves each day because that is what our God deserves from us. Hopefully, these are a couple more ways we can work together towards that goal.
In Search of Wisdom
There is something about the value and splendor precious metals that has always attracted the human eye. If we stop and think about it, much of America’s westward expansion was due to precious metals. Many pioneers came from the East in search of silver and gold.
In 1849, people heard about the gold in California and “rushed” to find some for themselves. This is the background for the name of the San Francisco 49ers, a National Football League team. In 1859, there was another “rush” into the Pike’s Peak district which later became Colorado. Gold had been discovered, and a mob of 50,000 prospectors were drawn to this territory like a magnet. They came from California, the Mississippi Valley, and the East. One last important gold find is worth noting. In 1874, gold was found in the Black Hills of the southwestern Dakota Territory.
It was the prospect of a better life that drew these people from place to place in the west. Gold and silver could make one wealthy. And for that reason, it was worth earnestly searching for. Many left their homes and exhausted their resources in search for gold and silver. The wisest of all men, Solomon, uses the search for precious metals and hidden treasures as a comparison to our quest for spiritual wisdom:
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if seek her as silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Prov. 2:1-5).
All throughout the Proverbs Solomon tries to aid in our search for true wisdom. Always pointing to God as the source of that truth, Solomon wants us to have the same passion to seek after the wisdom and knowledge of God as we would the things that hold monetary value to our lives. He even goes on to teach that all things under the sun are pointless without having God. God is the one that has given all things and all things will return to Him. After talking about the truths in life and what has worth and what doesn’t matter, Solomon gives one final conclusion that is the exactly what we all need if we truly are searching for wisdom.
He had this to say, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is; fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Eccl. 12:13-14).
As a person what are you searching for?
FACT of the Gospel
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John present the one true gospel (see Gal. 1-6-9) from four different perspectives. Each writer has a particular audience in mind as he portrays the life of Jesus. Major themes within each account compose the acrostic “FACT.”
Fulfillment. It is believed that the Gospel of Matthew was sent primarily to Jewish Christians. Matthew uses the genealogy of Jesus to prove he is the fulfillment of prophesy the Messiah. Matthew includes the greatest number of quotations from the Old Testament in any New Testament book. Matthew also discusses divine intervention in the world of men and establishes Jesus’ sinless nature and position as master teacher. He does this to prove that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the fulfillment of the Old Testament because that is the goal of the book.
Action. It is believed that the Gospel of Mark was sent primarily to Gentile Christians, possibly in Rome. Mark’s account is the most concise as he portrays Jesus as a “man of action,” a powerful miracle worker. The episodes of Jesus’ life are woven together by the Greek word eutheos which is translated “straightway,” “immediately,” “at once,” and “without delay.” It is used 42 times throughout the short 16-chapter book.
Compassion. The Gospel of Luke was addressed to “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3), but it was certainly intended for a wider audience among the Gentiles. This book was the first of two volumes, the second being Acts. Luke demonstrates the compassion of Jesus for the disenfranchised of Jewish society: women, the poor, Samaritans, tax collectors, and sinners. Luke also helps comfort all those who read his writing of the gospel by providing a sense of assurance in the accuracy of the message. He lays out facts in an orderly fashion, but not merely just trying to present history. He presents historical facts that point to something greater/significant – the fact that God has entered into human history offering His Son as the payment for the sin of mankind. No greater compassion can be shown.
Truth. It is believed that the Gospel of John was written for Christians and non-Christians alike, possibly in Ephesus. John emphasizes the evidence or testimony for faith in Jesus. “Truth” is a key word, occurring over 50 times in the account. Jesus’ miracles are signs that testify to the truth: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. (John 20:30-31 – “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”)
The FACT of the matter is that Jesus is the Fulfillment of everything that was told and promised, the perfect man of Action to carry out God’s will, Compassionate in a way that proved God’s love was shown for all mankind, and the Truth that we need to believe in and bear witness of in our own lives.
