HANDLING TRUTH

Handling truth is a daily task for every person.  Determining what is true would seem to be important since it impacts the foods we eat, the medicines we take, the politicians we vote for, the conversations we have with those around us, and everything else. 

 How many classes on “truth” are offered?  There are some elements in math classes in secondary schools as well as logic and philosophy classes in college, but most people just arrive at some system for determining truth that seems to work and move on.  That DIY (Do It Yourself) approach is apparent on many levels from views on candidates running for office to the way the news media presents a story to the acceptability of a tweet, email or Facebook post.  

What is helpful to me in the handling of truth is using a test.   It can get complicated, but this is the quick way to use it. First, check the data as best you can.  Sometimes you have time to really dig in and sometimes you have to keep moving.  So, as best you can determine the evidence available.  Does what is being presented meet the facts? And, if so, it is a good start.  

Second, look for contradictions.  For example, a physical object can’t be in two places at the same time.  To make a statement that says Joe was at 12^th and Washington at noon on Tuesday and at the same time he was at 36^th North and Monroe at the same time is a problem.  Check to see if the statement being looked at is logically consistent.  Again, there are ways of getting technical which may be necessary at times, but as best as you can determine may have to be the way to go about it most of the time.  

Third, check for reality.  This is a practical element.  How can this be lived out in the real world?  Fantasy is great entertainment, and can even illustrate truths but it isn’t part of the real world.  Handling truth includes running statements or considerations through a practical grid. 

A warning for truth handlers.  Preconceived notions and emotional leanings influence everyone’s approach to truth and how it is determined.  This is where the idea of every person having their own truth came into play.  Think about that one.  Imagine the cashier at McDonald’s telling me I owe $12.93, and I hand over $3.00 because that is my truth.  Really?   My feelings about my truth or someone else’s truth don’t enter in to the exchange of cash.  It is what it is.  

Testing one’s own preconceptions and emotional leanings is a great thing to do.  It is almost impossible to get out of our own skin long enough to work through those things, but it is worth it.  Maybe you have heard of the woman who prepared the Thanksgiving ham by cutting off the two ends before sliding it into the oven.  One Thanksgiving her daughter asked her why she was cutting off the ends.  She explained that her mom had always done it that way, and that is why you do it.  Curious, she called her mom and asked why she had cut the ends off.  Her mom said the pan she had was short and she had to cut the ham down to size.  Preconceptions can leave us a little short.  

A fourth test is to compare with Scripture.  The Bible provides a relevant and helpful means of evaluation.  A modern view of a person is narrowed down to chemical composition, electrical impulses, collected memories in the DNA and in the process of growing up.  That person dies and the lights go out.  A body is left with the elements that it had when alive.  But electrical impulses alone cannot keep the body going.  If they could, then we would find people around us celebrating their 300^th birthday.  We don’t because it isn’t just a chemical, mechanical, electrical process.  The Bible tells us we are made up of material and immaterial parts, a body, soul and spirit.  That model of a person seems to fit the data, it is logically consistent and fits with reality.  The book of Proverbs says, Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Proverbs 9:10 (NLT)   The Bible provides information about the Lord and that is greatly helpful in having wisdom and good judgment so this is an important part of the test of truth.  

Scripture has critics and skeptics and non-believers that is true.  But it is for those who have an interest in including the Scriptural test of truth that I direct these thoughts.  As humans we function in many ways that can be feeling oriented to ultra-rational.  Including the Scripture in our evaluations of truth doesn’t mean we do away with our normal way of processing.  We may even operate on a scale from one end to the other but still within the scope of Scripture.  It may be at some point, however, that the Scripture is left out of the equation altogether as we lean on our own understanding.  This illustration shows the scale on either side of the Scripture.  

 

Submitting our personal approach to the Scripture allows a spiritual formation to take place.  It is part of the process of handling the truth.  

The test for truth includes getting the facts, checking for logical consistency, putting it to a practical evaluation and comparing it to Scripture.  Although this may sound rather tedious it may surprise you as being beneficial and even fun.  

Jesus said it well, “ And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NLT)

FOLLOWERS OF JESUS Put on the Full Armor of God

There is a battle going on.  Not just a flesh and blood battle.  Not a battle won by fighting the way everyone else fights.  It is cosmic.  It reaches to the heavens.  It is personal, global and universal. 

Jesus was involved.  The devil tried Him, tempted Him, tore at Him, and He fought.  “The Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 (NLT)

The enemy has not finished attempting to destroy what God is doing.  ^“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) The devil rests after he devours.  We are told to “stay alert” because the enemy is there in the tall grass, behind the trees, in the shadows watching for someone who is not watching.  

Who is not watching?  The busy Christian.  Up and going with plans, programs, and projects.  Knowing about the idea of putting on the full armor of God, but with work or other cares there is far too much to do to put it on.  The unbelieving Christian.  Having assurance heaven is for real and Jesus has everything in hand is enough.  The threat of the devil or of the battle seems more like a myth to the unbelieving.  A fairy-tale for the paranoid church goer, but not something for the sophisticated or so they may think.  But watch out the devil is on the prowl for those who are not staying alert.  

Jesus offers life abundant to His people.  The abundant life flows from the life lived His way.  The devil has other plans.  He wants to tear down and destroy.  Jesus says it this way, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  John 10:10 (NASB)  

Have you noticed a difference in the quality of life you experience when putting real effort into following Jesus?  Quality.  Deep down in the soul goodness, peace and love that rushes out like a flowing river.  We know the importance of loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.  When we pursue Him with that love we experience Him.  With that fundamental change in us we can connect to others with His kind of love.  That is quality of life.  

When the devil has his way in our lives there may be a rise in things accumulated, accolades given to us and other assorted delights, but they are meant to destroy us.  Have you noticed?   

How can we be living God’s way, and be aware of the devil’s attempts to destroy us?  Draw near to the Lord.  Daily put on the full armor of God.  

Imagine being bored living the life Jesus has laid out for you.  Imagine the words of Scripture being irrelevant in the battle for your life.  Imagine the things of this world being more invigorating than the empowerment by the Holy Spirit.  Many do.  Many times we have.  Some walk away listening to the devil.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”  1 John 4:4 (NASB) Greater is He who is in you.  

You are God’s.  He has more for you than you can think or imagine.  He is glad to call you His child. 

I am glad to see what God has done in you as part of the family at Grace Bible Church.  You have an important place on the wall.  Like those who defended and built the wall around Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day you have a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other.  The battle is real.  All around us near and far there is news of attacks and people turning against one another.  The devil is instigating what he can and bringing death and destruction, fear and mayhem. 

We at GBC in our small corner of the world have the unbelievable opportunity to make a difference.  We have access to the ultimate power of God.  We have practiced walking with Him.  When we gear up and put on the full armor of God we are ready to battle.  We pray.  Not as weaklings with little timid voices huddled in corners, but as God’s own army engaging the enemy. We can be like David in facing the giant as we come in the name of the Lord.  

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.  1 Samuel 17:45 (NASB)

For those who have been gearing up.  Thank you for fighting in the battle.  For those who have not been gearing up.  Consider what the Lord would have you do, and do it.  

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.  Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)

The Pearls of Your Life

Among the most valuable of treasures is the pearl.  In ancient times it was the most valuable of all. 

In the mid-1800s in New Jersey a pearl rush was started after one lucky man discovered a huge freshwater pearl in a river.  He sold it for $1,500.00 which would be like a million dollars today.  Another pearl rush took off in Arkansas in about 1897 and lasted until 1909.  Jacques Cartier bought his New York location for two strings of pearls.  The value of pearls was even greater to those in the distant past.  They were obviously difficult to locate underwater.  The odds of finding a pearl in a mussel or oyster is slim, and the chances of finding one of good quality, color, shape and size…well, that is really huge. 

Pearls are formed by particles of sand or some irritant getting inside the shell.  The oyster or mussel then emits nacre to cover the annoying thing.  This forms around the irritant.  Layer after layer is emitted until the pearl is formed. 

The value of the pearl is clear in the Bible.  In fact, in the book of Revelation, John the Apostle, tells us each gate in heaven is made of a pearl.  Look at this: 

The twelve gates were made of pearls--each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.  Revelation 21:21 NLT

A gate to the city from a single pearl.  That is enormous and the value beyond estimation.  Imagine the pain of the irritant and the time involved in forming a single pearl of that size, and there are twelve of them.  What pain could be so great and how could it be covered to become so valuable and then become the entrance to the city of God?  Jesus’ suffering and death.  His pain.  God’s grace. 

Jesus points to the value of the pearl in this parable. 

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!   Matthew 13:45-46 (NLT) 

A pearl of great value was worth everything else.  And that is the value of the Kingdom of Heaven.  It is worth everything a person has to get it. 

The pearls of our lives are the pains and scars that are covered by God’s grace.  They come by our own actions or maybe someone else’s or just because we live in a broken world.  They come into our lives and God can take them…all of them.  Surround them with His grace and turn them into something beautiful and valuable.

The pearls are the story of your life.  And when God takes one after another He can string them together into something of incredible value.  Some stories will be all blessing and some will be filled with blunders.  But your story of redemption includes daily being shaped, forgiven, and restored.  Enjoy your pearls.