Truth On the Inside

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (II Cor. 4:1,2)

TRUTH ON THE INSIDE

It is a wonderful thing to hear the truth. There’s something about it that rings in the heart if you are looking for such things. Some people are very blunt and like to pride themselves that they speak plainly and honestly, but that isn’t always the same as truth. Truth has with it the desire to reveal something beneficial inside, while honesty often is just a stating of someone’s opinion or of what someone believes to be true. Honesty may often be cold and cruel and used to demean someone or shame them. Truth seeks to edify and often can provoke change in a heart that desires to have it.

Sometimes when I have preached a message I recognize that there are those who do not want to hear what I have to say. In that way truth can be a divider. This is what Jesus meant when he said he came to bring a sword. (Matt. 10:34) What a privilege it is to be able to speak the Word of God and know that it represents the highest form of Truth to be found. Jesus said He is the Word of God and He is the Way the Truth and the Life.

It can be easy to use the Word to control others or to make them believe a specific idea or philosophy if one desires to do so. Most people are busy struggling to make their life work and take care of their family or business; they look to ministers to tell them the truth and sometimes this makes them easy game for deceit or manipulation. I have often heard messages that were geared to get a group of people to support a program or follow a doctrine that will ultimately benefit the speaker more than the hearers. I would not want to be the minister who chose that path.

To receive the Truth is a great privilege. Jesus told Peter this when he correctly ascertained who Jesus really was. “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God”, replied Peter.  Jesus answered, “Blessed art thou Simon Barjona”. To know the Truth is to have a divine revelation from God.

Do you take this for granted? Do you understand that if you believe the Gospel and understand the truth about who Jesus is you are blessed? Most of the world, indeed, many of those who call themselves Christian, do not know this truth in their inner man. They believe Jesus was a good man, a kind man and some would even say a gifted prophet or healer, yet they are not sure he is truly ‘the only begotten Son of God’. (I John 4:9)

Some think maybe God manifested himself as Buddha to the people of the East or Mohammed to the Arab peoples. Some would ask, “Who am I to say Jesus is the only way?” This shows that “the god of this age has blinded the[ir] minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”. (II Cor. 4:4)

Many today preach a Gospel that is different from that which Jesus told us to preach and they are handling the word of God deceitfully. I would not want to stand before God on that charge.

Have we lost our courage today to say boldly ‘that is not the Truth!’ Are we afraid to offend someone or alienate ourselves from the flock and be branded as being judgmental? In this area especially we must be clear as to what we believe. True there are some doctrines that are not essential, but the Gospel message is not one of them.

This does not mean that we are to spend our time fruit inspecting everyone who comes into our path. But we do need to be ready as Paul told Timothy: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;” (II Tim. 2:24,25)

I remember when I first began to preach the Gospel and there were many new doctrines arising that were labeled New Age, or New Thought. I heard them and often thought, People won’t believe that; it is too far fetched. I was wrong. These things have now permeated the church and many have become mainstream thought for some.

Beloved I adjure you to hold on to the Truth of the Gospel as delivered unto us by the Holy Apostles and the Lord Jesus himself. If you do this you show yourself to be enlightened and blessed by God. But don’t take it for granted! Realize it is a privilege to see the Light of the truth. Many will go to the grave thinking all is well and will hear the words, Depart from Me. I never knew you.

May the Lord show you His wonderful Light of Truth and keep you close,

Craig Marlatt