January 19, 2023

Truth sets me free . . .

 

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13)

Yesterday this quote showed up in social media: “Truth is true, even if no one believes it. A lie is a lie, even if everyone believes it.” I don’t know who said it, but I say amen!

Today’s devotional begins with: “The gospel is true because Jesus is true, not simply because Christians believe in Him.” Again, I say amen!

MacArthur also makes this statement: “Believing a lie doesn’t make it true. Conversely, failing to believe the truth doesn’t make it a lie.” Belief does not determine truth and denying truth does not change its validity or make it go away. Suppose my house is on fire and my neighbor rushes in to tell me. Saying ‘No, it is not on fire’ will not put out the fire or make it not so.

The NT calls the gospel “the message of truth” and the OT says it too. For example: “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” (Psalm 119:160)

Jesus is truth, “ . . . I am the way, and the truth, and the life . . . .” And the Holy Spirit is truth and “ . . . will guide you into all the truth . . . .” so people will “know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Again, Jesus says, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” and He prays, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 14:6; 16:13; 8:32; 4:24; 17:17)

A frightened horse refuses to leave its burning barn and must be blindfolded and led to safety. Those who hear the gospel are blindfolded already and reject the truth that their lives are in eternal danger. They oppose it or redefine it, or say it may be true for others, but not for them. But instead of being led out of danger with a blindfold, the Lord Jesus came “into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46) He knew that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

The gospel is true because Jesus is true. He proved it in His life, His death, and most significantly in His resurrection. He “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1:4) Failing to believe the truth does not make it a lie, it simply makes a person blind to the reality of that truth!

Lord God, You gave me truth when You gave me Jesus. I am girded with truth — it is my protection from danger and strength in my weakness. Those who are deaf and blind to You need to hear truth. May You grant me opportunities to proclaim it with humility, wisdom, and loving boldness.

MORE: Read John’s gospel and mark all verses about truth. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 and Acts 17:30–31. Look for the key elements of the gospel and for the relationship between Christ’s resurrection and God’s judgment on sinners. Pray for others who need to be set free from the sin that holds them in unbelief.

 

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