What Is Truth?
Ira Mikell
Jesus, in John
It
is important that we not only believe that God’s word, the Bible, is truth, but
also believe that it contains all that we need in order to be saved from our
sins and live in such a way that we will someday enter heaven. Paul reminds us
that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That
the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works,” (2 Timothy
Unfortunately,
man has changed the word of God in various ways. Revelation 22:18-19 says that
“If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues
that are written in this book: And if
any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall
take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from
the things which are written in this book.”
There
are several translations that contain false teaching. For example, in the New
International Version, Psalms 51 has been modified to reflect the doctrine of
inherited sin through Adam.
Those
who misinterpret this passage teach that David was born a sinner. What they
fail to realize, however, is the fact that the child was born as a result of
the sin of adultery committed by David and Bathsheba
(2 Samuel 11-12:1-24). Such
translations ought to be rejected for others that are free from error (i.e. the
King James Version, the New King James Version, the American Standard Version,
and the New American Standard Bible).
The
other area in which man has changed the word of God is by adding uninspired
texts such as the Apocrypha, denominational creeds, and books (i.e. The Book
Of Mormon and, Science And Health
With Key To The Scriptures). These began centuries after “all truth” (John
The
word of God contains absolute truth on every issue. Examples include marriage,
divorce, and remarriage; morality vs. immorality; and, fellowship. However,
there are some things that God has allowed some differences in opinion,
something that will be discussed in a later issue. Furthermore, there are other
things that we will never know about until we reach heaven. Moses said that “the
secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed
belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of
this law,” (Deuteronomy 29:29).
Consider These Passages
“Buy
the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” - Proverbs 23:23
“Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh
receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh
it shall be opened.” -
Matthew 7:7-8
How Is Truth Determined?
Ira Mikell
Truth is determined by studying
the word of God and accepting what it teaches on any issue. Paul, under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit said in 2 Timothy
Contrary
to popular belief, truth is not relative, but absolute. Man continues to perpetuate
the false notion that the truth about many things does not mean the same for
everyone. However, it is God, not man, who has the final word. For example,
society believes that it is permissible for a woman to have an abortion.
However, according to the word of God, it is a sin to murder another human
being, even an unborn child. Paul lists the act of murder with other sins that
will send a person to everlasting punishment. “Being filled with all
unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of
envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God,
despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without
natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God,
that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same,
but have pleasure in them that do them,” (Romans 1:29-32).
The
last source where truth cannot be found is in denominational doctrine. Even
among the various denominational churches there are contradicting beliefs on
things such as the plan of salvation and the meaning of baptism. Furthermore,
these creeds often change, sometimes according to a change in culture.
Some
denominations, for example, teach that one is saved before baptism, while
others say that baptism is not necessary for salvation. This is in light of the
fact what Jesus said in Mark 16:15-16: “He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned.”
In
conclusion, it is important to be careful when searching for the truth about
religious matters in sources other than the Bible. Before accepting what you
read and hear as the truth, always act as the Bereans
in Acts 17:11 who “were more nobel than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and
searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
We Come To Worship
Ira Mikell
We come to
worship thee, O Lord,
“In spirit and in truth”
According to
thy holy Word
In all we say and do.
O may the
songs we sing to thee
Bring glory to thy name,
And help to
edify and teach
Us on this holy day.
While
kneeling at God’s throne in prayer,
Let us with one accord,
To Him our
glad petition bear
According to His
Word.
As we
partake of that great feast:
The bread, fruit of the vine,
O may we
keep in memory
Of His great sacrifice
Have
you thought about your life lately? Are you sure the direction that you are
taking will lead you to Heaven? Have you been searching for truth in the wrong
places?
Worship
with a
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