bibleteacher.org: studies by Brother Thimothy

Understanding Truth

Meaning of truth: In the following pages we are going to study lessons from 3rd John. In this letter we find the word "truth" several times. What does it mean?. Do not think it is doctrine. The truth in third john is reality. Nothing in this world is real. Every thing you can see, touch, posses and enjoy is not real, but at best a shadow of what ever exists in this universe is but a shadow not real thing.

Then what is real thing? It is "CHRIST" as reality of every thing. The food you take, the life you live is not real. In order you have real food and real life, you need to have Christ. Since Christ him self is "truth", and he is real food and he is real life. "If you have the son of God, you have life, If you do not have the son of God, you do not have life" (1 John 5:12).

Jesus himself told "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man come to the father but by me" (John 14:6).He also said "If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31,32).

Understanding truth: In order to understand truth completely. We have to experience this truth by ourselves. In Bible there are 5 which are true. Here the list goes.
                                             - God is truth (Is 65:16,John 14:6)
                                             - Word of God is truth (John 17:17)
                                             - Gospel is truth (Galatians 2:5)
                                             - Church is pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15,15)
                                             - Covenant of God is truth (Micah 7:20).

God is truth: Lord God Jehovah mentioned in Bible is true God. Isaiah 65:6 says "That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes." Isaiah 65:6 This God loved the world irrespective of prevailing sin in it and gave his only begotten son. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life".

Jesus Christ came into this world and he said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man come to the father but by me" (John 14:6).This is the way of salvation. God can be find by only through Jesus Christ. That's why he asserted that "no man come to the father but by me" (john 14:6).

When our Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven. He promised that he will send the "Comforter", who is Holy Spirit. And this Holy Spirit is "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth" (1 John 5:6).

So in this we learned that God the father is truth (Isaiah 65:6) His Son Jesus Christ is truth (John 14:6) and Holy Spirit is true(1 John 5:6)

Bible is truth: Bible contains
                                                - Scriptures ( Daniel 10:21)
                                                - His Words (John 17:17, 1 Thes 2:13)
                                                - His law (Psalm 119:142)
                                                - His Commandments (Psalm 119:151).

Now our responsibility is we need to understand what they are and need to follow them.

Scriptures are true: The whole Bible is a scripture for us. It contains holy writings. These Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:15) and these scriptures (Even old Testament) contains about Jesus Christ "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27).

His Words are true: In Bible we can find His words. Every word in this are inspired (Spoken) by Him. But he answered and said, We are living in this world not by bread "but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God". (Matthew 4:4)."Our faith should not based on ideas but our faith should produced by hearing his words For this reason we have to listen to his words. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." ( Romans 10:17). When ever we listen we have to meditate day and night (Psalm 1:3) and keep this words in our hearts ( By heart )"so that we sin not before him" (Psalm 119:11) "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord". (Colossians 3:16). When we exercise this we are confident that there is some "truth in us" (3 John 1:3)

His Commandments/Laws are true: Commandment means an edict, order or law. Any of the 10 commandments God given on Mount Sinai is a commandment. ( Exodus 20:1-17 ).Out of which. Which commandment is greatest. For this Jesus Christ replied "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets". (Matthew 22:37 - 40). breaking of any these commandments is a sin. God hates sin (Hebrew 1:9).And the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).Nevertheless God loves sinners and provided salvation for penitent sinners. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). As new testament believer we are not law breakers but we are fulfilling the law by finding Gods will in each law.

Covenant is true: In New testament there are two covenants. The old and the new. The new covenant which is of grace, was established by Christ and supersedes the Old covenant of the Law with all its animals and sacrifices and ritualistic practices in the sense that through the new covenant the old is fulfilled and its purpose is achieved. Because of one sacrifice, he [Jesus] has perfected for ever those who are being made holy (Hebrews 10:14)."This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin". (Hebrews 10:16-18)

Gospel is true: Gospel is truth: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. (Galatians 2:5).Gospel was defined in 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures". Knowing this two verses doest mean that you have salvation. This word Gospel came to you (Ephesians 1:13) by various means through a person, pamphlet, TV, radio, open air preaching or Gospel raids. Whenwe hear this for some one this Gospel became a word of truth (Ephesians 1:13). and Holy Spirit convicted them So they believed and they are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). They are sealed until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13).So, for this reason we have to continue in the truth, and this truth has to continue with us. Many of them fallen astray by leaving gospel. Apostle Peter done the mistake (Galatians 2:14).Galatians done this mistake (Galatians 1:6).We have to hold fast to the Gospel of truth (Galatians 2:6)

Church of God is foundation and pillar of truth: It is a spiritual house built of lively stories of true believers, upon the foundation of (corner stone) Jesus Christ, who is also the door into it. Since it is the house of God. We can expect him to do at least three things

- God dwells in His house

- God lives in His house

                                     - He works out His Life
b. Church of Living God: Yes, Our God is a Living God, inwardly he works in the lives of believers so that they become more like him, by giving the revelation of their conditions so that they confess and walk in light. Outwardly His lives flows out through our life into the dry lands around the world. So that His flock is bought into the church.
c. The pillar and ground of the truth: Once all bought into the church where God lives and executes His life. The church needs to be pillar and ground of truth. This is the truth regarding the church. Pillar is the place where inscriptions are present. Our basic ground and pillars must bear truth. Our Christian truth seems to be fake in many cases. When we are dealing (showing out truth) with nominal Christians / worldly people our truth seems to be Good. When we are dealing with other believers. Where our truth meets the other's truth. Instead of Praise and Glory raises to high and flow. Malice dung are forming in that place.
d. Manifestation of God in flesh: When the Church meets, we are trying to manifest

        Outward change      "By Doing Good"
                                            - Teachings                 "Mere teaching no practice in life"
                                            - "Exercising Gifts"    "Concentrating on them with out spiritual growth"
                                            - "Positions"                  "Doing work for positions like Bishops, Deacons, and their wives
The manifestations of these is not what God wants. And these tools are not to fight, These tools are to manifest God in flesh. Instead of manifesting God in Church. Some are trying to manifest outward change, some are trying to manifest Speaking of tongues, Some are trying to manifest of their knowledge. Because of this reasons we see lot of grief and fighting's among us. This is the Deception Bought by Satan into the church.

Conclusion : May the lord help us to understand the real meaning of truth and live a truthful life, Let us consecrate our life by holding to the truth, our God it self and live truth full life by holding to the teachings in Bible and abiding truthfully in his church which is the foundation and pillar of truth.