TRUTH
by Carole Korakas
For a few weeks, Ive been hearing the word TRUTH. In these last days, it is imperative that we know TRUTH.
Jesus said, "I am the way, and the TRUTH, and the life," (John 14:6). Jesus is the truth. Jesus, the One who is the truth, was Gods spoken Word manifested as flesh. God expresses His truth through the person of Jesus Christ and also through His Words, whether written or spoken.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," (John 1:1). "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us," (John 1:14). The purpose of Gods Word dwelling among us in human form was to reveal TRUTH. Gods Word through the Scriptures is for the purpose of revealing TRUTH. God also reveals TRUTH through words spoken by His servants. However, we must carefully discern that these words indeed reflect and reveal what is already recorded in scripture. We read that, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work," (2 Timothy 3:16).
We must not rely upon something just because it is taught by someone whom we respect and trust, but because it is in the scriptures. We are admonished to "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves," (Matthew 7:15). We also read "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect," (Matthew 24:24). I believe the "false" ones that the scriptures are referring to are those who prophesy, preach or teach for their own selfish gain. When these "false" ones seek to build their own kingdoms, rather than the kingdom of God, they tend to manipulate people by selling a perverted word. Sad to say, but in many churches there is a greater emphasis on preserving the kingdom (doctrines, traditions, denominations, churches or groups built by men) than on tending the flocks (who are led by God to come to a congregation, ministry or group ... and also to go). Perhaps the issue is not that these people arent initially sent/ordained by God, but that they fall into deception because their hearts are not pure and fully turned toward Him. When our hearts are not pure, we are more likely to have motives that are influenced by greed, jealousy and a desire for power/status. We are warned that "in later times some will fall away from the faith" because they have heeded the words spoken by those whose conscience is seared. (See 1 Timothy 4:2).
For some time, I have been led by Holy Spirit to question things that have for the most part been accepted without question. Among those Ive been considering are: tithing rather than giving (which is what Jesus did!), leading people in salvation prayers rather than repentance, going to church rather than being the church, qualifications (such as degrees) for ministry rather than being called to ministry, gifting hierarchies rather than giftings reflecting the ministry of Jesus, one-man-bands rather than leadership (servant-ship) teams, prosperity rather than giving. I wonder why some things are taught as if they were the gospel truth when in fact they arent. We must not accept something simply because someone taught it, it helps us make sense of our life situations, it gives us a promise of something better, it meets our needs, or because it sounds like wonderful revelation. Quite frankly, if it doesnt in some way reflect Jesus Christ (His ways, will or life), it probably isnt true revelation.
We must know TRUTH. We read, "And you shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free," (John 8:32). The TRUTH is a revelation of Jesus Christ, not revelation of doctrine or some other thing, but revelation of the person.
The Lord is going to release anointed Bible teachers into the body. These will be men and women who have been prepared, not by professors and teachers in seminaries and colleges, but by Holy Spirit in prayer closets and living rooms. These will be people who have been hidden away and who have hidden themselves in His Word. These hidden ones know that "The sum of Thy word is TRUTH, And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting," (Psalm 119:160). They will impart a fresh revelation of the person of Jesus Christ through the scriptures. They will also impart life through the Word. These people will also expose false teachings, doctrines and traditions that have been accepted within the Body of Christ.
A revelation of the person of Jesus Christ is essential to our Christian walk. We read in Hosea 4:6 that "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." The word translated as knowledge is "daath." It means knowledge, insight, intelligence, understanding and wisdom gained through the senses. This makes me believe that "knowledge" is gained through an intimate relationship with the person of Jesus, rather than lifeless knowledge gained through commentaries, textbooks or denominational doctrine. We must have a revelation of the person of Jesus Christ as revealed in the scriptures. Out of our intimacy with Him, we will know the deep things of God. (See 1 Corinthians 2:10.) Our life is not only enriched, but preserved through intimacy with Him. He shows us those things that bring life. After all, He is the one who directs our steps ... and our knowledge, insight, intelligence, understanding and wisdom.
As TRUTH is revealed to us, we must be faithful to steward it well. We read in 2 Timothy 2:15 that we are to "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth," (2 Timothy 2:15). As we "accurately handle the word of TRUTH," we will be able to worship in spirit and in truth (See John 4:24). We worship in spirit as we are led by Holy Spirit ... and we worship in TRUTH as we are led by the revelation of the person of Jesus Christ and obedience to His ways as found in the scriptures.
Psalm 119:160 tells us, "The sum of thy word is TRUTH, And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting." A sum is achieved when parts are added together. In others words, the entire scripture is added together to get the sum. Some versions use the word ENTIRETY in the place of SUM. We can contrast SUM with DIFFERENCE. A difference is achieved when something is subtracted. We are warned in Revelation22:19 not to "take away from the words of the book." While this scripture refers to the prophecy recorded in the Book of Revelation, I believe it reveals Gods heart concerning His scriptures. I dont believe its coincidental that this is one of the last scriptures in the last book of the Bible. Denominations, movements and even translations of the Bible have been formed when some scriptures are "subtracted" and others are isolated and deemed more important than others.
Jesus is coming back for a pure, spotless bride that will reflect His TRUTH. At present, we (as part of His future bride) probably more closely resemble a big-butted, frumpy woman whos sat for years in front of a TV watching soap-operas. We in the church have sat for years watching and listening to the oratorical performances of a select few. (This is not said to be critical, but to challenge us all to get up and walk out what he has purposed for us.) Its time the personal coaches and trainers (the five offices of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher) begin to train (EQUIP) the people so that they can begin to move into an active lifestyle. Our ministry must be a by-product of who we are as people of TRUTH and not an isolated activity. Ministry must be a lifestyle. This will bring real change to His bride.
Even though His bride is a bit out of shape, the groom lovingly and longingly looks upon her. He sees her with the potential of who she was destined to become. Hes patiently looked upon every stage of her growth and development from infancy (the early church) until our present stage. He is grieved when people ridicule and criticize her. When even one part of a person is criticized over a period of time, they are at a high risk for developing a fragmented personality or over-compensating in that one area. The church has gone through this. However, the TRUTH will set her free.
We must encourage the church as individual and as a collective body to rise up and become all that she is destined to be. We must seek TRUTH, discern TRUTH, know TRUTH, walk in TRUTH, read TRUTH, proclaim TRUTH, and be obedient to TRUTH. The person of TRUTH, Jesus Christ, is coming back for a bride who knows His TRUTH.
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"Scripture taken from the NASB, © 1977, by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."
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