Category: Truth

How important is a love for truth? This is a legitimate question as we live in a culture that champions the concept of relativism. In the view of many, ultimate or actual truth is not attainable, at least not in spiritual matters. So, personal and subjective feelings (sincerity) have replaced the search for objective truth, as the standard of acceptability to God.

However, though men do not believe an adherence to truth to be of any great importance, a simple consideration of scripture shows that God does. Consider the following:

1. Love for God is paramount. Consider Jesus’ words, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).
2. But, Jesus defined love in a very specific way. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
3. His commandments (truth) is found in scripture. “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

To rightly claim a love for God, we must keep His commandments. Since He has revealed His will for man in the Holy Scriptures, it is there we will find truth. What is truth? Jesus prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” How important is a love for truth? Very! It is required! Do you have an encompassing love for the truth of God?

Invitation delivered by: Darren Johnson

Darren discusses Paul’s warning that in the last days, some would “heap up to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). He points out the importance of heeding God’s worth, as only truth can save us!

Audio

(This article originally appeared as a paid ad in March 2012 in the newspapers published by Suburban Newspapers, Inc. The papers cover five small communities in the Forth Worth area).

Many religious people say that God doesn’t care what your doctrine is, as long as you believe in Christ. But, the apostle John wrote, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9).

Many religious people say they are glad that there are so many different churches where men may go and worship as they please. But, Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21).

Many religious people protest that objective truth is unknowable. However, Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Further, the apostle Paul promised concerning the revelation he had received from the Holy Spirit, “when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4).

Many religious people are simply unwilling to work at knowing God’s will, and limiting themselves to His directions for them in their lives. The brethren at West Side know how important it is to study God’s word, and to use it as the blueprint they follow in their daily lives. Would you like to know and understand God’s will for you? Come visit the West Side church of Christ.
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Prior to his ascension, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” As was His common practice, our Lord responded by telling them what they needed to hear rather than what they wanted to hear. Though the advent of the kingdom was indeed near, (and accomplished only 10 days later, as recorded in Acts 2), Jesus first informed them that it was not their place to know the time (vs. 7).

Then He told them what they needed to know, giving them a lesson on power. He told the apostles that they would receive power. The Greek word here is dunamis, and indicates power or might. What is evident when the scriptures are examined, is that this might is not military, social or political. The might supplied through the work of the Holy Spirit is bound up in inspiration! “However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would enable them, through truth, to witness for Him. This the apostles did first on Pentecost, and the spiritual Kingdom of God was realized.

I am not particularly fond of politics, but I have been casually following the debates and campaigns of the Republican candidates for the Presidency. Many are aware that for a time Newt Gingrich had enjoyed a lead in the polls, as the Iowa Caucuses neared. However, political analysts believe that a series of attack ads by a political group that is backing Mitt Romney led to a change of sentiment by voters, and a disappointing 4th place finish for Gingrich in Iowa.

Gingrich has been very civil toward other candidates during debates and campaigning, taking the high road, and eschewing negative campaigning to this point. He has called for other candidates to do the same. However, indications are that things have changed. After his disappointing finish, Gingrich has made clear that he will begin to be more pointed in his criticism of Romney’s policies and history as governor of Massachusetts.

Continue reading “In the News: Pragmatism VS Idealism” →

Speaker: Dennis Scroggins

Dennis discusses objections made concerning the marking of error, defense of truth, and the nature of autonomy in this lesson.

Audio

The apostle Paul had worked tirelessly for the conversion and edification of the Thessalonians. For this reason he was thankful to God that these faithful brethren responded to his preaching with fervor.

He was especially thankful that they had received his words, not as the words of mere men, but “as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectively works in you who believe” (13).

In this, three things are understood. 1) Paul spoke by inspiration. The Apostle Peter agreed with this assessment, categorizing the teaching of Paul as scripture (cf. 2 Peter 3:16). 2) His words were effective to their salvation. What Paul preached was “the gospel of Christ”, “the power of God unto salvation” (cf. Romans 1:16). 3) They had proven themselves worthy by their response to the gospel. Specifically, Paul referred to their perseverance in the face of persecution at the hands of the Jews (vs. 14-16).

This serves as an example to all Christians. As the word of God works salvation in those who persist in obedience, we do well to be steadfast in our profession.

Postmodern thought ridicules the concept of objective truth, and is not tolerant of any criticism or perceived intolerance. The view of the postmodernist is that subjectivism is to be embraced, and one person’s “truth” is and should be different from another. This view is pervasive in American society, and this sermon examines the trend in light of Bible teaching.

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In 2 Timothy 3 the apostle Paul encourages the young evangelist Timothy to be faithful in Doctrine and in his manner of living. He shows the key to a faithful life is preparedness by a study and application of the word of God.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

On February 15, 2011 the Christian Chronicle noted on its blog that Texas Ranger baseball player Josh Hamilton had visited Lubbock Christian University on the previous day.

The blog entry contains a video, and text from the local newspaper, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. The title of the blog post is: At Lubbock Christian University, baseball star Josh Hamilton discusses his faith. The Journal reported that during the 90 minute conversation, “the main narrative thread of the evening was the Hamilton couple’s struggles with Josh Hamilton’s drug abuse and the couple’s Christian faith.” (http://tinyurl.com/47s3qh3)

Continue reading “In the News: Nicer Than God?” →

Josh Cox preached this lesson, explaining Jesus’ words in John 4:24, where He said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

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Many believe that it is impossible for man to know real truth. In fact, that there may not be such a thing. However, in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, we see Paul affirm that God has revealed the mystery “truth” to mankind in Jesus Christ.

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I recently came across a wonderful quote from Nelson Mandela, a Nobel Prize winner, an former President of South Africa. He wrote or said:

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

This has a wonderful spiritual application. God’s word is unchanging. The epistle of Jude states that it has been “once for all delivered to the Saints” (verse 3). As such, it serves as a standard by which we can examine and compare ourselves.

One of the great dangers of any Christian is to, with time, begin to drift away from God. Societal influences, changes in circumstances and the passage of time can lead to subtle changes that may not even be noticed by the careless Christian. He may believe himself to be every bit as faithful to God as in the past, not recognizing that he has left the moorings, and has changed the profession of his faith.

However, a careful and frequent comparison between his faith and God’s word will catch any drift, thus saving him from an unfortunate apostasy! “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

I found the following nugget recently, that illustrates an important point about Truth.

Burghardt DuBois, the great black educator, sociologist, and historian, upon completion of studies at Fisk, Harvard and the University of Berlin, was convinced that change in the condition of the American black could be effected by careful scientific investigations into the truth about the black in America. So he proceeded. His research was flawless and his graphs and charts impeccable. After waiting several years and hearing not the slightest stir of reform, Dr. DuBois had to accept the truth about Truth: its being available does not mean it will be appropriated.

Fred B. Craddock, Overhearing the Gospel

The truth of God’s word is readily available to men. This is especially so in our country. The Bible is everywhere. A copy can be found in just about every home, and is available to every man. And yet, the book is seldom studied. At best, it is normally given a cursory examination, and devotion to God’s word is shallow at best.

If you want to know truth, you must exert yourself! “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Daniel is a man of Purpose, Principle, Purity and Prayer. As such, he serves as a wonderful example to us.

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