Greetings in Christ,
Truth. It has the power to penetrate the most stubborn, and it divides fact from fiction along the way. We have heard people getting sworn to testify with the courtroom clerk stating these words, “Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God.” Some courts may have dropped the so help you God part, but you get the idea. The words which are spoken should be centered on facts involving the case before the court. Truth brings out the whole facts and dismisses the fiction or false claims surrounding the case.
We all have a different perspective on things, and we look at things in a different light, but truth goes beyond our perspective and brings forth reality. At times we may not want to see the truth and we are blind to it. We choose to focus on what we think we need to understand, and we do not let anything else change our perspective. In our narrow focus truth works against us, but there are times when we are aware of the truth, and we uphold our limited focus with all we have and stand fast in our belief. Jesus, Peter, and John experienced both sides of truth in action.
Jesus was being condemned by the Jews for blasphemy. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, and the Jews were blind to the truth about Jesus. The Jews only wanted to see the truth they wanted to see, and they could not get past the idea they could be wrong. They believed Jesus was claiming to be something He was not, and they feared Him, and they wanted to stone Him to death. Jesus had taken His stand on the truth, and it was causing a great division between Him and the Jews.
Peter and John had been preaching and healing in the name of Jesus, and the Sanhedrin did not like what they were hearing. They had confronted Peter and John and commanded them not to speak of Jesus again, but Peter and John told them they could not stop telling the truth they knew about Jesus. The Sanhedrin were trying to hold them on charges of blasphemy, but they did not have much to hold them for any trial, so they released them. Peter and John returned to their group rejoicing in all that had happened. They responded amongst the group by praying for more boldness to speak the truth. Their prayers were answered as the Holy Spirit filled them empowering them with the boldness they asked to receive.
The truth, God’s truth will be offensive to many people. It has a way of dividing people, but it has a way of molding people. It has a way of dividing people because many do not want to see the truth. They have their own perspective, and they only want to focus on what they can understand, but when the truth is realized it molds them to take a stand for the truth. When truth molds it divides fact from fiction. It creates a place where only the truth can reside, and it infills people with a presence worth taking a stand to support and declare.
Truth is the rock for a solid foundation. Truth is like the great oak tree which has roots growing deep into the soil. Truth has a way of keeping those who believe standing firm and declare the truth they know. It will bring division when it is declared, and it will mold those who receive it. When the truth is declared with the help of God it will go beyond any imagination can comprehend. When people are standing on the rock and rooted in the truth it will mold them into the image of God just as He created them to reflect. Truth, Gods’ truth brings about a change in all people.
“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. But those who seek my life to destroy it, will go into the depths of the earth. They will be delivered over to the power of the sword; they will be a prey for foxes.
But the king will rejoice in God; everyone who swears by Him will glory, for the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.” Psalm 63
Lord may we be grounded in the truth and speak with boldness. Amen
Blessings,