John 8:31&32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus 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."
We had an interesting discussion last night at our small group bible study. The talk was about scams people try to run on the unwary or unsuspecting. Sound advice is if it just does not look right, it probably is not right. That is closely followed by if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true.
Being able to discern the truth, in our world today, can be a challenge. We are bombarded by so much information and from so many sources. It can be likened to trying to drink from a fire hose. And amidst all that data, is the truth. And by the truth I mean the "whole truth and nothing but the truth." And not some mere 'version of the truth.' (For the source of 'version of the truth' check out the movie "Somethings gotta give". When it comes to faith and Christianity we are in no better condition with regards to the information out there. There are many versions of the truth. So many claim to preach 'the bible truth'. Yet on closer examination all they really profess is some version of the truth. But what is really the truth, the whole truth? We can look at John 8:31&32 for that truth. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus 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." When we hold to the teachings of Jesus we are on the right track. When we try something other than His teachings, we are lost. We remain slaves to sin and are captured in the death that comes with sin. Some will chose to follow the 'salvation by works' in a vain attempt to earn eternal life. Some with be drawn by greed into the dead end that lies in the 'prosperity gospel'. Still others will be completely lost on the 'do what ever modern society tells you because it's all good' road to wreck and ruin. When we stick to the teachings of Jesus we are in the groove. We follow Jesus to the Father, and to the salvation we desperately need. We do this because we alone are totally unable to get there by ourselves. Sorry to disappoint those who think otherwise, but we are just not able to achieve righteousness without Christ. We are lost in sin and desperately need a Savior. The words of Jesus from John 14:6&7 tell us the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." Friends of the Risen Savior, that is the whole unvarnished truth. Jesus is the way, the truth and the light. All other paths lead you astray and straight to spiritual death. That is the truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
PRAYER: Lord and Giver of Light and Life we look to You and You alone for our salvation. The world around us screams out to look away from You. But without You we know we are lost. Father, let Your light, Your Son, shine brightly as a beacon in the night. Help us to stay on course in the fog of our lives. This we ask in the name of Jesus who with the Father and the Spirit are one God now and forever, Amen.
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