What is Truth?
John 18:37 NIV “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
John 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
“Truth is defined as that which corresponds to reality as perceived by God.” – R.C. Sproul
- The notion of personal truth and subjective reality would mean that nothing is true and everything is true – which can not be.
The Early Church
Acts 4:32-37 NLT All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
- Believers were living out the teachings of Jesus who had come to testify to the Truth. The truth affected both their attitudes and actions.
Truth from the Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 6:3-4 NLT But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Matthew 6:19-21 NLT Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:31-34 NLT So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
- Jesus taught how to live in the Kingdom of God.
Mark 1:15 NIV “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Sapphira’s Truth
Acts 5:1-11 NIV Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property…
- Ananias and Sapphira lied to gain prestige.
- They were not living according to the truths taught by Jesus.
John 8:44 NIV You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires… When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
- Sapphira was not committed to truth. And it cost her dearly.
- God wanted to underline His commitment to Truth for all future generations.
1 Corinthians 13:6 NIV Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Matthew 5:48 NIV Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
- Casual commitment to truth only when it is convenient or fits our personal philosophy of life won’t cut it.
Priscilla’s Truth
- Priscilla and Aquila were discipled by Paul.
Acts 18 NIV …When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately…he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
- They didn’t embarrass Apollos in front of others by calling him out – but in love they invited him into their lives and shared the full truth with him.
- Priscilla’s and Aquilla’s steadfastness to truth and willingness to teach others in a loving way equipped Apollos for the work God had called him to do.
Romans 16:3-5a NLT Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.
John 15:13 NKJV Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
- They embraced the teachings of Jesus, the Truth, and let the Holy Spirit transform them so they lived according to that truth.
1 Timothy 1:3 NIV …Stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer.
God’s Truth
“The true follower of Christ will not ask, ‘if I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?’ Rather he will say, ‘This is the truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!’” – A.W. Tozer
Romans 1:18, 24-25 NLT But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness…So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
Ephesians 4:15 NIV Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth – He will be faithful to answer that prayer as you seek Him in His word and in prayer.
John 16:13 NIV But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth…
Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV …Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Psalm 43:3 NLT Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.
Links:
Connect with Us:
Website: HerGodStory.org
Website: SomebodyCares.org,
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SomebodyCaresAmerica/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/somebodycaresamerica
Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/SomebodyCares
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_SomebodyCares
Somebody Cares Prayer Line (855) 459-CARE (2273)
Want to help Widows and Orphans? Join our growing company of women meeting special needs of parentless children and nurturing their unique gifts so they can be ALL God has in mind for them! And help meet real needs of women who have given a lifetime of service to God! Support the Somebody Cares Widows and Orphan fund today!
Share this message with a friend and subscribe for weekly encouragement and inspiration!
You can also receive periodic ministry updates from Somebody Cares, and/or weekly Provoke-a-Thought emails, monthly teaching emails, or join our prayer team by signing up here!