|
|
|
The
Naked Truth By
Kent Heaton A
common phrase we use in everyday language is the “naked truth.” This phrase
means the absolute truth and comes from an old fable. “Truth and Falsehood
went swimming. Falsehood stole the clothes that Truth had left on the river
bank, but Truth refused to wear Falsehood’s clothes and went naked.” Truth
is pure. There is no deceit in truth and it bears no resemblance to falsehood.
Truth is not encumbered with the cloak of lies and garments of jealousy. The
wise man declares “there are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which
are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed
innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to
evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among
brothers” (Proverbs 6:16-19). The tongue of lies is at the root of most things
that cause men to sin. We have become a nation much like Truth
is open and without shame. Falsehood creates evil and mistrust among neighbors.
Gossip is borne upon wings of lies and rumors spread within the belly of the
serpent of all liars. “No lie is of the truth” (1 John 2:21). People of God
are people of their word and their word is truth. As a new creation created in
“righteousness and holiness of truth” Christians put away falsehood from
their lips and speak the truth “each one with his neighbor: for we are members
one of another” (Ephesians 4:24-25). Truth bears no shame. Truth is the same
with each telling. The challenge of telling a lie is trying to remember the lie
to repeat each time. Truth springs from fountains of joy. “He
that utters truth shows forth righteousness” (Proverbs 12:17). The exhortation
of the Lord through Zechariah says, “These are the things that ye shall do:
speak ye every man the truth with his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth
and peace in your gates; and let none of you devise evil in your hearts against
his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate,
saith Jehovah” (Zechariah 8:16-17). Truth is kind and finds the worth of
righteousness in the heart of those who practice truth. Peace is the child of
truth that prospers in the fields sown with the seed of truth. The
warning is clear for those who do not practice truth. “But the fearful, and
the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and
sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will have their part in the lake
burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).
Truth will not wear the garments of falsehood and will bear the purity of the
heart in speaking the truth, believing the truth and practicing the truth. There
are no small lies or white lies or cute lies – a lie is a lie. Truth is truth.
Truth is found in speaking the words of truth (John 17:17). Refuse to put on the
garments of falsehood. Walk according to the naked truth.
&
We
Can Understand! By
Ron Drumm God's
Word Is Powerful: Reading it and meditating upon it every day will give us
knowledge and understanding of God's Will for us. The apostle Paul made this
promise: "By which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3:4). God wants us to know His Will. He desires
for us to be dedicated readers of His Word. He wants us to understand and be
wise concerning HIs teachings and principles that He has given to all His
people. The
Scriptures have a wealth of information that every child of God needs. Paul
wrote to Timothy: All
Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of
God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2
Tim. 3:16,17). Earlier
Paul had written Timothy reminding him that the Scriptures he had known since
his childhood were able to make him wise for salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). It
is apparent that God wants us to understand His Word. We can see this truth in
Paul's prayer for the Ephesian Christians: "that the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being
enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the
riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding
greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His
mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and
seated Him at His right hand in heavenly places" (Eph. 1:17-20). How
do we come to an understanding of the Word of God? We
need to "give attention to reading, to exhortation and to doctrine" (1
Tim. 4:13). Also it is important to "meditate on these things, give
yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed
to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them" (1 Tim. 4:15, 16). As
we see in Paul's example, it is important to pray that God will give us the
spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, and that our eyes of
understanding will be enlightened! God
desires that we know and understand His Word!
& Understanding
the Bible By
Bob Myhan To
understand the Bible, one must desire to do God’s will. Jesus said as much
to those who heard Him teach publicly. Jesus
answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If
anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it
is from God or whether
I speak on My own authority”
(John
7:16-17). One
must also be diligent and must appreciate and respect the natural divisions
of the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15). This includes but is not limited to acknowledging
the distinction between the two testaments. The Old Testament was for
ancient By
Greg Gwin For
a long time we have been warning about the dangers of departing from a strict
observance of the pattern set forth in the Scriptures. It has been pointed out
that once any departure is allowed, there then becomes no stopping place. If one
innovation is tolerated, soon many more will follow
it. After a time, any similarity to true New Testament Christianity
will be lost. Some
folks have ridiculed our warnings. They have
said that we are being "too picky" when we insist on "book, chapter,
and verse". They think we are hindering the cause of Christ when we
teach others to "speak where the Bible speaks,
and remain silent where the Bible is silent". If
you have any doubts about the dangers we have
been discussing, then take a look at these frightening quotations: "Currently
there is some controversy among Churches of Christ regarding immersion. Many
of us cannot deny that there are many devout Christians
who are unimmersed." (Gary Holloway,
Bible Professor, "We
accept all believers in Christ, no matter what
their religious heritage ... we have chosen to
emphasize what we have in common with other
Christian groups rather than debate our differences...if
they choose not to be immersed, we welcome them on the journey as part
of this family.... And, so, for those who have never been baptized, we
welcome the opportunity to study with you about the beauty and significance of
baptism, yet we will also welcome you. We
will encourage all believers — all believers in Jesus Christ — to
join us our journey with God." (Mike
Williams, Bible teacher, Can't
you see it? This is what happens when we fail to follow carefully Bible authority.
God has given us a plain pattern to
follow. Let's
make sure
that "whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus" (Col. 3:17).
& |