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What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

"The Truth"

Jarrod Jacobs

Truth, to many, is an elusive thing. This is because they are not accustomed to speaking, nor hearing the truth. I have heard people say that "truth is relative." They mean by this that truth to one person may not be truth to someone else. Still others talk of "your truth," "my truth," etc. as if it is a subjective thing.

We need to understand that truth is not subjective, but objective. It does not change with time, but remains. Truth, of course, originates with God. "It was impossible for God to lie" (Heb. 6:18). If we can understand that it is impossible for God to lie, then we know that God's word is truth (Jn. 17:17). Jesus said He is the very embodiment of truth: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (Jn. 14:6). Paul said, "let God be true, but every man a liar" (Rom. 3:4).

Keeping these things in mind, it is clear that the Bible, God's word, will contain the truth, and not lies. Why is this? It is because the Bible is inspired of God (II Tim. 3:16-17). Paul said that God's word thoroughly equips man for every good work. Peter said that God has given us, "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (II Pet. 1:3). If He has given us "all things," certainly, this would include all the words (truth) necessary to live a pleasing and acceptable life in the sight of God!

Why say these things? It is because many do not understand that truth is a very precious thing. We see our leaders in government, our friends, our employers, salesmen, neighbors, etc., lying on a regular basis. Why do you think it is necessary for people to sign so many papers upon the purchase of a car, or home, etc.? It is because many have been cheated by people refusing to pay their debts! Remember the days when deals were made with a handshake? Well, this is what dishonesty has done for us! Lying has become a way of life for many. In fact, the American people, as a whole, say not only do they lie on a daily basis, but expect the same from others!! How tragic.

Having said all of this, I want to impress upon the minds of our dear readers that God's word is truth (Jn. 17:17; Ps. 119:151; II Sam. 7:28; II Tim. 4:2-4). You can rely on it, for it will not change! "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (I Cor. 14:33). The only way we can have peace is when people speak the truth with one another (Eph. 4:25)! God is the author of peace because He speaks the truth to man through the Bible, and DOES NOT CHANGE!

The fact that people do not appreciate the truth is seen in those who rebel against it. I have heard people say on several occasions, "I know the Bible says that but..." when shown the truth. Some have been presented plain passages of Scripture and have said, "That's your opinion." I know of one woman who asked a preacher, "Do you really believe that?" Such responses do not come from the heart who is ready and willing to hear God's word, but from a rebellious soul who is not willing to yield and submit to the will of God. To see this in the Bible, compare and contrast such people as Abraham, Noah, Moses, Joshua, Peter, Jesus, Paul, and James with Pharaoh, Herod, Balak, the children of Israel at times, Elymas, and others. We see people who heard the truth from God, but reacted in different ways. Some rebelled, others yielded. Some fought, and others submitted. Why did this happen? Some were "hard-hearted" and not willing to listen to the truth, while others were willing to listen and obey.

Friend, what will you do? When you have heard God's word, or read it through such media as this; what will you do with the truth? God has revealed all He is going to reveal (Jude 3). He demands all people to "speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11). He demands that His word be preached faithfully, "in season and out of season," regardless of the consequences that men may inflict (II Tim. 4:2). Will you listen or rebel? Let us not allow the pleasures of this life to cloud our judgment. Let us not allow the hard-heads, the "looks," and the rebellion of men to dismay us, or sway us from obeying the truth of God's word (Heb. 5:8-9; Jn. 14:15; I Jn. 5:3)!

"Keep one thing forever in view -- the truth; and if you do this, though it may seem to lead you away from the opinions of men, it will assuredly conduct you to the throne of God." -- Horace Mann

"If a thousand old beliefs were ruined in our march to truth we must still march on." -- Stopford A. Brooks

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