Go For The Truth

Truth and error have battled since the first days of the Christian faith. Paul urged Timothy to counter those who taught strange doctrines at Ephesus (I Tim. 1:3-4). Today believers still must contend with error and false ideas about the faith.

Unfortunately, many people have accepted a number of myths about Christianity, with the result that they never respond to Jesus as he really is. They reject the gospel on the basis of half-truths and lies rather than a clear understanding of Christs message or its consequences.

Abandon the Myths-Go for the Truth! Go for the truth about God. There are may things in the world that point to the truth about Godthe kind of God that the Bible talks about, the God who make us, loves us, and communicates himself to us.

Go for the truth about Jesus. Jesus claimed to be the truth (John 14:6). Everything in his life, teaching, death and resurrection validates that astounding claim. So feel free to take a good, long look at Jesus. He wont disappoint you!

Go for the truth about yourself. Each of us is something of a puzzle. At times we can be kind and thoughtful, generous and unselfish. Yet we can also be self-centered and vengeful, lustful and treacherous. What a contradiction! As the Roman poet Ovid put it, I see the better way and I approve itbut I follow the worse. Or, as Paul wrote, Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong (Rom. 7:19).

No wonder some people see only the good in human nature and dream of utopia, while others see little but moral squalor and political chaos and fear universal destruction ahead. Christianity sees a bit of both: We are like semi-ruined temples that still bear the marks of their original splendor. Only the architect who designed us can fully repair and restore us to our original purpose and beauty.

Go for the truth about growth. If were going to be restored to God, change will be required. The first step is to turn our lives over to him. Then he begins a process of growth that affects every aspect of life. The process takes timea life-time. In fact, the process wont end until we meet God after death.

For now, God helps us cultivate a close relationship with himself. He develops our character so that we gradually become more like Christ. And he especially affects our relationships with other people so that we treat them as Jesus would.