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TRUTH
Truth is that which explains or defines, the exposed reality of a thing, behind which lies no other or further explanation. Truth is how things are, how they work…..really, really work. Truth is life operating the way it was designed to operate. Truth never changes, though it can be lost. It can be substituted with lies, half-truths, deceits….it can be made “relative.” But real truth is unchangeable, invisible, spiritual ….. and powerful. Truth is the very essence of God Himself.
The truth was lost in the garden of Eden by Adam, and it took thousands of years to regain. Now, because of the work of Jesus Christ, what has always worked, what has been true since the beginning, has been found, regained, and is true and works today. Life can once again be lived the way it was intended to be lived.
John 1:16,17 And of his (Christ’s) fullness have we all received, and grace upon grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
“given” = presented, supplied. The law was presented, handed over, by Moses.
“came” = generated, come into existence, birthed. Truth came into existence by (dia – by means of) Jesus Christ.
Okay, just think for a moment about what this is saying. The law was not truth !!!!!! For one.
How about this? There was no grace in the Old Testament! Well, think about it anyway. Maybe you don’t agree…..I’m not sure I agree….but it sure seems to be what this verse is saying!!!!
Okay, now the question is: What is truth ?
Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.
was = same root as “came” above. Jesus was generated, or came into existence, a minister of the circumcision (those of Israel)
for = on behalf of
Jesus came into existence a minister to Israel on behalf of God’s truth which dealt with what God promised unto the fathers (of Israel).
Here’s our first clue as to what truth is.
TRUTH IS WHAT GOD WILLS.
John 17:17 Jesus is speaking. Sanctify (make holy) them through your truth; your word (logos) is truth.
The WORD of God is the WILL of God. All truth is spiritual, and is found in the spirit of the Word of God.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that provides life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I speak unto you are spirit, and are life.
Let’s go back and see, then, what God’s original will was. Let’s see what truth has always been.
Genesis 1:27,28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.
1) Man was the image of God … in short, man had the very life and nature of God Himself.
2) Mankind was created to be male and female (not male and male…..not female and female)…..this will continue in the new heaven and new earth.
3) Man was blessed by God. (blessing = that which adds……..cursing = that which subtracts)….mankind’s life was to be continually added to by God Himself.
4) Man was to be fruitful…..more than just reproducing other similar physical beings, this fruitfulness is a result of God’s blessings (see #3) in man’s life.
5) Man multiplied and replenished (filled) the earth…..with more of his kind, by enjoying the truth of #2.
6) Man was to subdue the earth (all physical creation). He was not to do this by his own efforts alone, but in communion with others and God.
7) Man had dominion over (dominated) all other living things.
Numbers 1 – 7 are TRUTH.
The deception of Satan caused numbers 1 – 7 to be a lie.
Jesus Christ caused numbers 1 – 7 to be true once again.
Numbers 1-3….are totally provided by God, resulting in
Number 4, when man walks in that truth, which fruitfulness is described by
Numbers 5-7.
In numbers 1 – 7 above, there is no knowing of good and evil. It’s all good!
Were there choices to be made? Yes. But it was all good!
The means by which the truth of God was to be re-established on the earth is Jesus Christ.
John 8:31, 32, 36 Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on him. If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know (gnosko – know personally, by experience) the truth, and the (gnosko’d) truth shall make you free. If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed (in your essence).
John 14:6 Jesus says unto him (Thomas), I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes unto the Father, but by me.
The presence of God is required in order for truth to exist. (see numbers 1-7 above).
Jesus Christ is that presence of God.
II Corinthians 5:17, 18a Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things (new) are of God…..
Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father; and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, except the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Draw close to Jesus Christ and you draw close to truth. Learn to live your life in Christ, and the truth of God will manifest in your life. You will be the image of God, and have your life continually added to by Him. Your life will bear much fruit, including (in the right circumstances) but not limited to, reproducing offspring, together with whom you will subdue creation, having dominion over every other living thing.
John 16:13-15 Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father has are mine; therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.
The truth always regards Jesus Christ, and is always spiritual. The truth always makes you free, because the truth is how things really work, how they connect, how they relate. Truth is true cause and effect…..which is spiritual. When our decisions are made in the light of truth, they are good, healthy, fruitful decisions.
Ephesians 6:13, 14a Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,…..
A man who knows and walks in the truth is a man who is whole, protected, fruitful, lacking nothing. Desire the truth, hunger for the truth. Make it your heart’s true desire. Settle for nothing less, and the wholeness of life, of walking in the understanding of how things work, which God from the very beginning designed man to walk in, will be yours.
II Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth;
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