Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Beelieve: Know God Intimately - God Is Truth- Important Characteristics of Truth


For previous Know God Intimately Lessons please click here.

Truth is Eternal

“For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117:2).

Truth does not go out of style; it does not change with time. Paul told Timothy that “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable . . .” (2 Timothy 3:16). The truth is as applicable to us in the 21st century as it was to men centuries ago.

Truth is Universal

God has revealed not only Himself but also His truth to us through His Word, the Bible. Knowing absolute truth / universal truth is only possible through a personal relationship with the One who is the Truth—Jesus Christ. 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).

There are Christian Churches all over the world and it is not at all surprising to see New Testament teaching, principles, and practices in those churches. Truth is universal; it is applicable anywhere, at any time, and in any group of people. The Bible speaks everywhere, any time, and among any people, because the Bible is truth.

Truth Comes From God

Truth comes from God and is conveyed through the Bible, the Word of God.

We are told, “All truth is God’s truth.” There is no truth which is contrary to God or that God is not the author. The only truth we can know for certain to be truth is the truth God has revealed in the Bible. All other “truths” are apparent truths, and we must conclude that because they are not found in the Bible, they are not essential to “life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3; see also 2 Timothy 3:16-17). These truths are therefore less important and inferior to biblical truths. We need to be very careful not to combine certain secular theories with biblical truth.

Truth Needs to be Integrated with Our Lives

The Bible encourages us to incorporate God’s truth and morality. There is a very close connection between truth and morality. Immorality blinds us to the truth. Truth binds us to morality. Truth and righteousness are powerfully intertwined. His truth will transform our lives of we let it(see Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:17-24).

The Truth is Infinite

“For Thy lovingkindness is great to the heavens, And Thy truth to the clouds” (Psalm 57:10).

For Thy lovingkindness is great above the heavens; And Thy truth reaches to the skies (Psalm 108:4).

This means the quest for truth is never ending. We will never know all the truth in this life. The Bible only scratches the surface of the vast ocean of truth. We need to be aware that all truths we need to know God has revealed through His creation, Son, and Word and we must beware of all else.

The Truth is Exclusive

There is a major difference between Christianity and polytheistic or pluralistic cultures. Other religions have no problem with contradiction of the truth. They will often hold the belief of different “gods” and allow a person to embrace whatever truth structure they prefer. Biblical truth, God’s truth, is exclusive. It is incompatible with any assumed truth which contradicts Scripture. Christians may be branded “intolerant” for such a passion, but there is not more than one truth.

The Truth is Centered in Christ

When we stray away from Christ, we stray from the truth.

“If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus (Ephesians 4:21).” (see also Colossians 2:1-8).

The truth of God, which is revealed in Christ and in the written Word of God, the Bible, should be a priority in our lives. We need to seek, by His marvelous grace, to be followers of the Word, followers who love truth and who search the Scriptures to find it. We need to embody the truth, and put into practice in our daily lives, for His glory.

5 comments:

Pia said...

God's word is truth. i'm meditating on that now.

luvmy4sons said...

When you think on it our Savior was so audacious as to proclaim that HE IS THE TRUTH. The claims of Christ would be audacious if He were not the only one to make such claims and the only one to rise from the dead. Truth does not come from within us...but we must recieve it...Jesus IS truth...it is amazing...we, as Christians, serve THE TRUTH! I find that comforting...no searching...It is there for us to receive!

Denise said...

Such an awe inspiring post my friend.

Alleluiabelle said...

I am getting so filled today, so filled. All of my love, belief, faith, hope, trust are all in Him, in His Word and I stand tall and firm on His Word each and every day.

This is such a powerful posting Michele and I read it twice to hold onto and grab onto everything you said in it.

Thank you dear sister. I love you.

Alleluiabelle

He & Me + 3 said...

The truth is very important to me. I am so glad that i know God's word is truth and that He is the way the TRUTH and the life.