THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF TRUTH

" . . . If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free . . . If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:31-36)

Devotion 3 of 20

CONSIDERING THE TRUTH

Jesus came to make known the purpose of God to save humanity for Himself. Everything He said related to that purpose, and nothing was disassociated from it. When asked about truth by the despot Pilate, Jesus stated His mission."Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest 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 heareth my voice" (John 18:37). Pilate was looking for novelties, but Jesus had none to give. He did not come to give interesting disquisitions, but to make known the mind of the Lord. Those with an appetite for God's will and a desire to participate in His eternal purpose have an ear for Jesus. They delight in His words, and sit at His feet.

There are two moral forces at work in the world: the truth and the lie. The truth comes from God and leads to heaven. The lie comes from Satan and leads to the lake of fire. God has promised to destroy all enemies of the truth. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [back] the truth in unrighteousness" (Rom 1:18). Through wickedness, evil men impede the progress of truth, holding it back, or restraining its dynamic influence upon human hearts. Ungodliness does not hold back "A" truth, like that of forgiveness, grace, or spiritual utility. It does obscure the perception of what the Lord is doing, as revealed in the Person of Christ, and the manifestation of God's eternal purpose. That condition, in turn, causes everything else to become distorted.

Love is versatile because it blends so well with the eternal order. It reflects the very character of God, and adapts men for Divine use and fellowship. Love, it is revealed, "rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth" (1 Cor 13:6). When the heart has been ravished by the marvelous love of God, a strong appetite for the will of the Lord is created. Delight is found more in involvement with God that mere academic learning about Him. This is not to be construed as derogatory of learning about God.

Once truth is related to the exalted Christ and the Father's determined purpose, the futility of opposing it is clearly seen. This is the meaning of Paul's confession, "For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth" (2 Cor 13:8). This is another way of saying the purpose of God cannot be thwarted. The only thing human foolishness and obstinacy will do is exclude the guilty party from involvement in the will of the Lord: but it will not inhibit or thwart the ultimate "determinate counsel" of God.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for revealing Your purpose in Christ Jesus. In His name, I desire for a deeper love for the truth.

-- TOMORROW: WHAT ABOUT DISOBEDIENCE? --