The Price of Truth

The Price of Truth

(No. 17, pg 1-14)

By C. H. James

August 25, 2015

Teaching Objective                       (hisservants@juno.com)

The object of this teaching is to determine who is ready to continue their growth in Christ and to separate those who, in the face of contrary biblical evidence, are determined to remain doctrinally where they are. I give you a serious warning, once a popular doctrine is proven false by scripture, studied in context; it becomes very difficult to remain unaffected by it. It should be made clear that truth ignored has consequences.

2 Thessalonians 2:13b

God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

Count The Cost

It’s doubtful that anyone seeking or defending real biblical truth will ever win a popularity contest.

Luke 14:28-33

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Our failure to suppress any new biblically supported doctrinal revelation or deny it could lead one into being ostracized by the very people we consider fellow brethren. This might not be our choice but rather one forced on us by our friends who think we’ve been overtaken by false doctrine or have fallen under the influence of a cult. As always, they will assume their traditional, hand-me-down doctrine is correct and most often will not allow any other teaching to receive an impartial hearing.

Sound doctrine unites brethren while false doctrine divides. To make a fair, impartial judgment by biblically testing the truth of any doctrine, there must exist a mutual desire to discover the truth. The scriptures must be searched for appropriate evidence that is understood in context. Those involved must study to show themselves approved without demonstrating a predisposed bias and, based on this, make an honest determination supported by the strongest available biblical evidence.

Truth must be the focus of the search and not one’s prideful desire to be right or win the debate. If we win the debate at the expense of truth, what have we won; what is our reward, our prize? All we’ve achieved is apostasy and separation from God.

2 Timothy 2:14, 15

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

What Christian would knowingly poison the food of a friend, yet this is what we do if we teach what we know to be false.

Tradition

It was the Pharisees, the traditionalists of their day, who debated with Jesus. It was these traditionalists who sought to discredit him. It was the traditionalists who appealed to Pilot seeking his execution. It was these same traditionalists who did their best to corrupt the infant church of Acts.

Traditionalists exist today and each group of them believes they have all the truth they need. But I tell you the Holy Spirit has not reached the end of his curriculum. It won’t be complete until we’re face to face with Christ. His truth is being uncovered continually like ancient treasure. And like an ancient treasure being unearthed by scientists, it comes to us a piece at a time. How can anyone in any generation close this book of God and say we have enough, and everything we have is correct? Jesus said, “Unless our righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, (the traditionalists of Christ’s day), we can by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:20

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

God did not assign the interpretation of scripture to the traditionalists or, for that matter, the highly educated. Jesus was able to amaze the doctors of law at age twelve.

1 Corinthians 1:26

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

1 Corinthians 2:12-14

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

These truths were given to us, along with their teacher, the Holy Spirit. All we need do as indwelt believers is to study and show ourselves approved. We need to listen to that still, small voice within, he’s the ultimate teacher.

A Godly Thing

It is a Godly thing to seek the truth and, as I said before, truth has consequences. 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that all who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. It’s a difficult thing to face friends who pull away, those who believe you’ve strayed from the truth. It’s even harder when they’re joined by family members and church leaders. As those who openly share the message of the gospel, we expect rude treatment from the unredeemed but when it comes from the brethren, the hurt goes much deeper.

When our loved ones misunderstand our beliefs, we’re tempted to give in, to try and convince ourselves that maybe they’re right and we’re wrong. Certainly, there would be a whole lot less trouble and inner turmoil if we would simply give in and surrender, but this is not the path of the disciple.

Matthew 10:34-39

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

What about the inner struggle? If we find truth that alters or replaces an existing, widely held belief; it sends us into an internal battle, a battle of truth against pride and social consequence. Changing a deeply held conviction is like pulling roots from our heart. Many of our most familiar doctrines have been handed down from loving parents and respected church leaders; trusted sources all.

When one of these teachings comes under question, it shakes our very spiritual foundation. What should we do when we can plainly see that a newly discovered truth, one found in God’s word, challenges one of our existing beliefs? Should we close our eyes to it? It would surely be more convenient if we did, but how would our Lord feel? If we closed our eyes, would this not become an act of cowardess, one designed to please men rather than God? Exactly what is truth? John 17:17 tells us!

John 17:17

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The word of God, as revealed in the light of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, is the final authority. He will guide us to the truth. The wisdom of men, their science and philosophies, can’t be trusted; God’s word alone will end all doubt and confusion. It will provide all the evidence needed to discern the truth, if we let it speak to us and if, we always allow our doctrines to be tested. Fear of testing is nothing less than doubting the strength of our own professed belief. Think about it!

Choosing

J. Russell Lowell

Once to every man and nation

Comes the moment to decide

In the strife of truth and falsehood

For the good and evil side;

Some great cause, God’s new Messiah,

Offering each the bloom or blight

Parts the goats upon the left hand

And the sheep upon the right;

And the choice goes by for ever

‘Twixt that darkness and that light

Then to side with truth is noble,

When we share her wretched crust

‘Ere her cause bring fame and profit

And ‘tis prosperous to be just

It’s the brave man then who chooses

While the coward turns aside

Doubting in his lowly spirit

Till his Lord be crucified

And the multitude make virtue

Of the faith they had denied.

Sacrifice

Jesus made a choice to reveal the truth to the world and all we need do is read the sermon on the mount (Mt. chaps 5, 6, 7) to see it. This truth and others cost him his life. John the Baptist spoke the truth to Herod from his cell and it cost him his life. Stephen told his people the truth of Christ and it cost him his life. Truth set him free and this same truth may well, one day, set us free in the same way.

John 14:6

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 8:32

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:36

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

The road of the true Christian is narrow and difficult.

Matthew 7:14

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

It’s a road walked by those who daily take up their cross.

Matthew 16:24

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Temptation, persecution and death are waiting for those who dare to walk it. Jesus himself advised us to think carefully before choosing to take it; he recommended we first take a moment to count the cost. Christianity is not for cowards; it’s a radical life style, one that, like the salmon, will have you constantly swimming up stream to find a place to give birth to truth.

My advice is either cook or get out of God’s kitchen. Enter the contest or get off the church bench. Christianity is not a spectator sport; it’s not about what God can do for us. It’s about what we can do for God. Let’s not let the T.V. evangelists convince us that God exists to serve us. We exist to serve him; we have elected to become his servants. The other message is straight out of Hell! The word sanctify means set apart. If we abide in God’s word, we will know the truth. Abide means to dwell there not just pay a visit.

John 8:31, 32

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Embracing God’s ever unfolding truth will no doubt set us apart from an unbelieving world.

John 17:17-19

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Real sanctification will not only set us apart from the world but may take some of our brethren and family away from us as well. To our dismay, we will find many brethren who would rather take comfort in a lie than accept the consequences brought on by truth. They will in the end, likely pay a greater price for false comfort than we will for abiding steadfastly in the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Truth

Truth has a very sharp edge. It’s like a surgical scalpel. It can cut away the cancer of sin but if used without love and care, it can leave an open, bleeding wound.

Ephesians 4:14-16

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Yes, the sin may be removed but the patient may well bleed to death if we fail to attend and treat the remaining wound. What good is it if we convince a brother or sister that our doctrine is true if we leave them broken and wounded by the debate? If we fail to demonstrate our love and concern, we may well leave them despondent and ready to give up on their faith. What have we gained then? We may have won the debate, but the kingdom of God may suffer the loss of a citizen. Truth must always be generously wrapped in love.

Galatians 6:1

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

1 Peter 1:21, 22

21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Truth Or Hypocrisy

As Christians:

1. We must speak the truth (speak what we live)            

Ephesians 4:25

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

2. Walk in the truth (live what we speak)                        

3 John 3, 4

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3. Declare the truth (evangelize)                                         

Acts 26:25

25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

4. Worship in truth (do something)                            

John 4:23, 24

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

5. Come to the truth (always)                                      

1 Timothy 2:4

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

6. Believe and know the truth (to share it)                   

1 Timothy 4:3

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

7. Handle it carefully (not twisting it)                               

2 Timothy 2:15

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

8. Obey the truth (or be a hypocrite)                          

1 Peter 1:22

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

9. Be established in the truth (as one who seeks it)            

2 Peter 1:12

12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

10. Be known for the truth                                       

2 Corinthians 4:1, 2

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 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.

Brethren, let us walk, speak and teach as children of light.