Always learning but never knowing?

Imagine this week a young man suddenly arriving from an obscure village. He is a carpenter who has never been much farther than his hometown. He speaks with an accent familiar to those in his area. Imagine him telling us that our accredited teachers are generally wrong in what they have been telling us, and that our religion is largely obsolete. He says he came to show us a more excellent way, a truer faith. He even claims he will die to prove it is true. How would we react?

None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:8)

Would I listen to the first man described any more than people listened to the second, Jesus Christ? How am I at listening to new ideas? I know myself. I’m a hard sell. Many time, the more someone tries to convince me, the less inclined I am to believe them. I have this, “I must prove it for myself” quality, which isn’t always a bad thing for it keeps me from buying into false schemes, and makes me investigate thoroughly.

But if that way of thinking keeps me from accepting new discoveries, our home would not have a telephone, much less computers, or an e-book reader and an android. Worse, every time I read the Bible and saw something that I’ve never noticed before (which happens daily), I’d throw that new idea out without considering its authority and relevance to my life. I would be stuck in the mud of my old ways and Christ would have no positive effect; I would not change. I have to admit that this happens far too often.

When Jesus sends new light, those upon whom that light shines must be willing to experience it and reflect it. Otherwise, all we do is balk at it until the light goes out and leaves us in the dark. That happened to the rulers of that age who crucified the Lord of glory. They would not listen, and soon they could not listen. It also happens over and over in this age until much of the population even denies there is a Lord of glory, never mind listens to what He says or believes in Him.

An early Christian called Tertullian said, “Christ did not call himself the custom, but the truth.” People love custom, even those who determine not to “get in a rut.” Custom is easy, the flow is downstream and others happily go along, making the ride pleasant. Truth has few real disciples and encounters many more hostile minds. The lovers of custom are distrustful and suspicious of those who go upstream, who think innovatively, who claim their new and grand ideas will change the world.

Jonathan Edwards, another Christian of a more recent era (1703-1758), wrote in his diary, “I observe that old men seldom have any advantage of new discoveries, because these discoveries are beside a way of thinking they have long been used to. If ever I live to years, I will be impartial to all pretended discoveries and receive them, if rational, how long soever I have been used to another way of thinking.”

I don’t know how old he was when he wrote this, but today’s devotional author says that if such an entry had been recorded in the diary of Caiaphas or Annas (the religious rulers during the time of Jesus) and lived out, Calvary would not have happened. They would have seen that this Man who came out of obscurity had really been sent by God to seek and save those who are lost in sin and they would not have crucified Him.

Today, I see all around me evidence of how the power of sin can destroy lives. Even though Jesus rose again, the sin of the world had power enough to kill the eternal Son of God. It also blinded the minds of those who determined that custom and habit were better than truth. We are definitely living in that age where people are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).

This motivates me to pray that if I am still here at the end of this age when Jesus returns, my mind will be so eager for continued revelation from Him that I will still be learning, and will easily recognize Him when He comes.

The Truth or The Lie

In my experience, nothing hurts more than a lie. When I review my own history, every low and terrible time involved a lie from someone that I trusted. Each occasion didn’t necessarily separate me from the person who lied (I’m able to forgive), but they deepened my intense feelings about lies and deception.

Jesus said, “I am . . . the truth. . . .” He is truth embodied. Every lie goes against His nature, His very being. For instance, even when not related to spiritual matters, lies are a form of manipulation and Jesus is never guilty of doing that. Lies destroy relationships and shatter trust. Jesus is not like that either.

The author of lies is Satan. Jesus said of him, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44)

The first lie was offered to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Through the serpent, Satan approached her about God’s command to leave alone the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and said to her, “Has God indeed said. . . .” casting doubt that God actually gave that command.

This lie continues today. The Bible is just a book written by men. . . . Oh it might say stuff, but who knows what it means. . . . Those parts of the Bible were for that culture, not ours. . . . It is an old book. God didn’t have anything to do with it . . . and many variations of more of the same.

I’ve talked to people that, no matter what evidence was given them that the Bible is indeed the Word of God (and there is much evidence), they would not be convinced. In some cases they acted as if they were blind and deaf.

This is a dangerous place, not that they cannot see (none of us can without revelation from the Holy Spirit), but for the reasons behind why they cannot see. 2 Thessalonians 2 describes an evil person sometimes called the Antichrist who will show up in our world and deceive many. Verses 9-11 contrasts the people he will deceive with those who love the truth.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice the reasons given for those who will perish. They did not receive the love of the truth, indicating that it had been offered to them. They did not believe “the truth” because they loved their sin. It is because of these things, that God (yes, God!) sends them a strong delusion so they should believe “the lie” and be condemned.

Rejecting truth in favor of the pleasure of sin puts a sinner in a bad place. Sin is bad enough, but being unable to accept truth is worse. The truth (personified in Jesus Christ) says that all are sinners, all need forgiveness, and all require the powerful work of God to change their hearts and lives. The lie (originating with Satan) says, “Oh, God didn’t really say that.”

I’ve no claim to the origin of loving truth. These verses tell me that it is a gift that has to be received. My love and deep respect for what is true is not a natural part of being human, but a supernatural gift from God. The last part of this passage says God chooses and calls people to be saved, to be set apart for Him, to believe the truth. He offers an incredible gift to every person. I’m simply amazed that He offered it to me, and deeply distressed when others reject His offer.

Truth hurts but lies destroy

As long as I can remember, honesty has been the character trait that to me is the most important. Lies make my body tense and my teeth clench. If I suspect someone is lying to me, or if I know that it is so, I either pull back from them or am immediately confronting them about it. Lies can destroy relationships. Believing a lie could destroy me. Besides, and I’ve said it more than once, truth, however bad it might be, is far easier to deal with than lies.

When it comes right down to it though, I’ve lied, and everyone I know has lied, either to me or someone. Scripture says, “Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: ‘So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge’” (Romans 3:4).

We fall short in the truth department because our sin nature basically tries to disguise itself. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they covered themselves with fig leaves, the first attempt to hide their shame, a shame over something that wasn’t a problem until they disobeyed God. Humanity has done similar hiding and disguising ever since. We want to look better than we are, and we want our sin to be hidden too.

Sin essentially comes from a word that means to fall short. I once saw a movie where archers aimed at targets and when their arrows fell to the ground without reaching the target, bystanders shouted “Sinner, sinner.” In this case, their judgment had nothing to do with morality or disobeying God. It was about the arrows.

By falling short, shame is often produced. A few might seem to brag that they missed the mark, but whether boasting or covering it up, we don’t like the feeling of failure. When I do it, I might make excuses or shift the blame, but if I am honest, I need to acknowledge my falling short. By doing that, I can be forgiven and move on.

The model for honesty is God. He never fudges with the truth, even though truth can be painful or difficult for us. Hebrews 6:17-19 says,

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

It is the nature of God to be totally honest. He cannot lie, and as I realize this in my experience, instead of it being an enemy and difficult on my pride, more and more I find that relying on Him to tell me the truth is an anchor for me. Others might lie, but God never will.

If I am unsure about any decision or course of action, people often offer advice that suits their agenda or their idea of what is best. If I want advice about a dress that I think makes me look fat, even those close to me might not say what they really think. They don’t want to lie, but neither do they want to offend me with truth.

God is not like that. I can be sure that I will get straight answers from Him. He does not soften it with artificial flattery or weasel words, nor does He have ulterior motives. He says it like it is and I know exactly where I stand with Him. While it might be painful, I’d like that same honesty from everyone.

The best part of knowing the truth, even though the truth about my spiritual life is often dismal and disappointing, along with showing me that about myself, God also reveals the truth about Himself at the same time. When I confess my sin (falling short), He is right here to forgive me and cleanse me, which is the truth about Him. It is in that truth that I am firm and secure.

Knowing truth is not enough

This morning I decided that while the devotional book, God is Enough has some wonderful entries, too often the readings and ideas either lack scriptural support, or are off-base. I prayed about it and decided that if this morning’s reading was another rant about the importance of the human will I would switch. It was, and I did.

At first I thought to use a book by John MacArthur whose scholarship amazes me, but then realized that I’ve sat under his teaching long enough that our thoughts are too much alike. I need something that challenges me, a writer that looks at things in fresh ways. I selected a title called Ears from Harvested Sheaves. This is unknown to me, but when I Googled the author, J.C. Philpot, I found that this man, born in 1802 and died in 1869 is greatly revered. One site says that his teaching is “deeply soul-humbling, richly Christ-exalting.” His life purpose is quoted: “My desire is to exalt the grace of God; to proclaim salvation alone through Jesus Christ; to declare the sinfulness, helplessness and hopelessness of man in a state of nature; to describe the living experience of the children of God in their trials, temptations, sorrows, consolations and blessings.”

Every sample of his writing touched me, so Ears from Harvested Sheaves will be my devotional challenge for the next while.

Today’s reading is about the difference between receiving the truth and receiving a love of the truth. He says that thousands receive the truth into their judgment, and adopt the plan of salvation as their creed, but are neither saved nor sanctified by merely receiving the truth. Using 2 Thessalonians 2:10, he describes them as “those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

To these, “the message of the cross is foolishness”; however, to receive the love of the truth results in “Jesus being made sweet and precious to the soul” and in this, the gospel is made the “power of God unto salvation” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

When I read it, I wondered if even a genuine Christian might lose or not have a love for the truth? Sometimes it seems so. I hear many people who follow the Lord offer a host of excuses for not listening to the truth or obeying it. It is as if truth is not as important as their own opinion. Yet as I read this, I know that God wishes to speak to me about me, not about others. What am I doing with truth?

The reading says, that “sometimes the Lord, without applying His word with any very great and distinguishing power to the heart, makes ‘his truth to drop’ with a measure of sweetness into the soul,” just as God says in Deuteronomy 32:2, “Let My teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, as raindrops on the tender herb, and as showers on the grass.”

When the Word of God comes to me as described here, it cannot help but work in my heart a love for the truth. The gentleness of His words, the wonder of who He is and what He has done are a great blessing and fill me with joy.

Yet sometimes the Word of God strikes me as described in Hebrews 4:12-13: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

Instead of sweetness, I’m hit with conviction about sin or sinful attitudes. When that happens, I am challenged to measure my love for the Word of God against my love for the sin this Word has discerned and exposed. Would I rather not admit that I’ve disobeyed God and instead save face? Would I rather be right than righteous? Would I rather be exalted than humbled? Would I rather being well-thought of in the eyes of others instead of give glory to Jesus Christ?

This whole idea of loving the truth is vital. That verse from 2 Thessalonians 2 says that people perish because “they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved.” Receiving it might bring salvation, but unless I also love it, Scripture challenges the reality of my salvation.

Further, I cannot judge the spiritual status of others by what they do or do not do with the truth, but I’d better keep an eye on myself. I know that I cannot lose the eternal life God has given me in Christ, but my life will certainly not be effective for His purposes if I decide that what I want (and love) is more important than loving what He wants for me.