SPIRITUAL TRUTH

One of God’s greatest gifts to his children is the ability to think.  He has invited us, “Come now, and let us reason together."  He has challenged us, “Study to show yourself approved."  To allow the mind to lie idle is sinful.  A Christian is duty bound to stretch to the limit his capacity to think.   He must ever be a student.  It will be the joy of eternity to go on learning without end.

Truth has nothing to fear from exposure, but ignorance cannot abide the light of investigation.  Ignorant people always fear those who reason.  Thinking is apt to uncover a need for change, and change usually is perceived as threatening.   Although change merely for the sake of change is unwise, ignorance demands the status quo be maintained at all cost.  It forever warns, "Don’t rock the boat."

Jesus was the greatest thinker that ever lived.  Because he loved people and justice, he continually challenged the status quo. For this reason, the power structure of his day considered him exceedingly dangerous.  Jesus was crucified because he insisted on rocking the boat.

 As a committed Christian I must be dedicated to an everlasting search for truth.  Because of my humanity I can never, in this present life, know truth in its fullness and perfection.  But I will keep searching, and I will ask the Holy Spirit to be my constant Guide.

 Whatever I learn I will not become arrogant, for at best I can grasp but a small part of the whole.   My greatest effort will be directed toward knowing better my loving God and his wonderful plan of salvation.  I will remember that all else, even through important in its own right, is peripheral to the heart of the Gospel.

 Because my understanding of truth must of necessity be limited, I will be humble.  I will hesitate to judge my fellow man, leaving that to the One whom alone can read the human heart.  I will walk in fellowship with the brother who differs with me theologically, but who loves the same Savior.

 I must remember that the price of following truth often is high.  It could cost me my job, my dearest friends, even my loved ones.  It could even demand my life.  Still, as a Christian I have no choice; the path of truth is the only one worth following.

What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!   The intelligent man is always open to new ideas.  In fact, he looks for them. Prov. 18:13, 15

 

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