God Speaks

How is that Christians read the same Bible yet teach diff erent doctrines? With so many denominations and only one Bible, who is right? Are they all right or are they all wrong? Does it matter what we believe and teach? The answer to this question should be obvious. Following God’s word is always in our best interest especially with so much at stake. His Truth always guides us in the right direction and for this reason we need to give earnest attention to understanding it.

But are most people really interested in knowing and following Bible truth? Could it be that we reject truth (Jesus), because we prefer following our own thinking and drawing our own conclusions. Consider some reasons why the religious leaders of Jesus’ day rejected Him as the truth.

• Disliked having the errors in their teachings and practices exposed.

• Closed their eyes to truth because of their pride.

• Lacked love for the truth (John 3:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

• Failed to diligently search the scriptures regarding the accuracy of Jesus’ claims.

• Tended to listen more to the words of their teachers instead of the Word of God. (Isaiah 53).

Sound familiar? The truth was unpopular in Christ’s day as it is today, and for some of the same reasons. Unfortunately, many of us have never engaged in an in depth study of the Bible. We often pride ourselves on being students of the Scriptures but in reality do not know them. As a result, we are more inclined to accept doctrines that are not based on scripture but on hearsay. Jesus said, “Ye err not knowing the scriptures” (Matthew 22:29).

The real battle is not between denominations but between truth and error. With each denomination claiming to have truth it is important that we rely on what the Bible teaches. And when we consider the consequences of not following Bible truth we can conclude that it does matter.

…tradition.

The “traditions of men” do not have authority over Scripture, although it seems we place more importance upon rituals and traditions than the teachings of the Bible. When this happens the word of God is rendered powerless in our lives. Jesus said that there are those who draw near to Him with their lips (talk), but their heart is far from Him (their life invalidates their profession). In vain do we worship Him, teaching doctrines and commandments of men (Matthew 15:8,9; 7:21-23; Mark 7:6-9). The power to overcome sin is in following the Word of God, written and human form (John 1:1,14).

…convenience.

There are many reasons we attend a particular church. It could be that we were raised in the church, family and friends attend it, the familiar environment, baptized there, married or dedicated there or its proximity to home. Whatever the reason we remain there. But should any of these reasons transcend the importance of truth? Absolutely not! They are subordinate to truth and do not replace the importance of knowing and following truth. Jesus said whoever loves his father, mother, son or daughter more is not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:37). We must be willing to leave comfortable and familiar surroundings, as did Abraham, and follow Jesus the Truth.

…unity.

With so many different Christian doctrines, how do we establish unity in the body of Christ and at what price? We sometimes compromise our beliefs by yielding to the voices of those calling for harmony and cooperation. This is done while sacrificing truth. The popular thinking of the day appears to suggest that all religions are equal and in spite of differences, ultimately lead to God. We are finding that for the sake of unity many religious groups are burying the old hatchets of doctrinal differences and beginning to see eye to eye. True unity of God’s people is always based upon truth. Jesus prayed for His followers to be one as He and His Father are one (John 17:21). God has called His people to uphold unity on the platform of truth and not sacrifice it for the appearance of unity. Only by following the leading of the Holy Spirit who will guide and lead to truth can we achieve true unity.

…popularity.

Following the crowd has often proven to be wrong but dangerous as in the case of the antediluvians in the time of Noah (Luke 17:26). Only eight people went into the ark to be saved from the flood. Sodom and Gomorrah is another example of how it is not always wise to follow the crowd. Christ said, “…wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13,14). Jesus also said “That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). Truth has never been popular with the masses. And those in the majority today, as in ages past are not really looking for truth as much as they are looking for a religion that will allow them to live as they want to live.

…sincerity.

Sincerity coupled with error can be deadly. In fact it doesn’t count for anything – unless it is coupled with truth. Sincerity of the heart is praiseworthy and necessary for faith, but it is not an acceptable substitute for following truth. One can be sincere, yet sincerely wrong. For instance, there are people who practice “snake handling” as part of their religious beliefs. As a result some have died. This practice may be performed out of a heart of sincerity but if what they are doing is based on false doctrine it can be deadly. People have also believed the second coming of Jesus was to occur on a specific date. They were sincere, but they were wrong. The Bible says, no man knows the day or hour not even the angels in heaven (Mark 13:32; Matthew 24:42). Our sincerity is founded in understanding Scripture and conforming our lives to it. Just as sincerity does not negate natural law, neither does it cancel spiritual law.

Jesus stood in the judgment hall before Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator and governor of Judea while the leaders of the Sanhedrin and the mob waited outside. They wanted Pilate to accept the verdict of the Sanhedrin and sentence Jesus to death without a public trial. But Pilate could see through their scheme and knew their charges against Jesus were false and could not be substantiated.

“Art Thou the King of the Jews? Pilate asked Jesus.

“Sayest thou this thing of thyself or did others tell it thee of Me?” Jesus was inquiring if Pilate’s true reason for his question was a real desire to know truth. But pride prevented Pilate from acknowledging any sincere interest in truth or the mission of Jesus. Wanting to give Pilate an understanding of the true nature of His kingdom, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

“Art thou a king, then?” Pilate asked (John 18:37). After affirming Pilate’s question, Jesus further explains elements of His mission by stating, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth My voice.” Jesus was trying to convey to Pilate that His followers, those who desire to be in His kingdom, hear His voice and are willing to follow Him because they love truth.

The door was open for Pilate to enter into a discussion regarding the truth of Jesus’ mission and kingdom. Any desire Pilate might have had in listening further to Jesus did not exceed his concern for his political career. Protecting his self-interest was more important than his love for truth.

Not wishing to hear any more, Pilate shrugged his shoulders and said, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Here was Pilate’s golden opportunity but he chose to become a people pleaser which served his earthly ambitions rather than a desire for truth.

Jesus desired for Pilate to know the truth about His mission and His kingdom that would bring grace and salvation to the world (John 1:17). Jesus came to bear witness to the truth about the Father. Since He came from the Father, Jesus can show us the way to the Father, the way from earth to heaven (John 6:32-38). Jesus Christ is the true expression of the Father’s love for sinners.

Like Pilate, many of us place more value on our own self-centered agenda. For the sake of gain and recognition we tend to place traditions and requirements of men above requirements of God. The decisions we make bear witness to whether or not our interest is centered in the things of this world or the truth of God.

Pilate’s rhetorical question “What is Truth?” is an important question for each of us today. But how will we respond? Now is our golden opportunity to accept Jesus, the Truth (John 14:6). Many of us will undoubtedly choose as Pilate did and protect our self-interest and reject truth. But hopefully there will also be those who will say yes to Jesus, the Truth.

Discerning truth depends more upon our attitude toward receiving it and a love for it, than our capacity to understand it. Blaise Pascal, the French philosopher and mathematician, wrote, “God has given us evidence sufficiently clear to convince those with an open heart and mind, yet evidence sufficiently vague so as not to compel those whose hearts and minds are closed.” How will you respond to truth?