One of the foundational concepts in all existence is truth. Truth can also be known as facts or that which corresponds to or adequately expresses what is real.
The nature of truth is crucial to the Christian faith. Not only does Christianity claim there is absolute truth (truth for everyone, everywhere, at all times), but it insists that truth about the world (reality) is that which corresponds to the way things really are. For example, the statement “God exists” means that there really is a God outside the universe, an extracosmic Being. Likewise, the claim that “God raised Christ from the dead” means that the dead corpse of Jesus of Nazareth supernaturally vacated its tomb alive a few days after its burial.
When anybody is accused of something, the truth is what determines if one is guilty or not. Investigations are done to prove or show truth. This involves eye-witnesses, video and audio recordings. We see this everyday, all over the television and radio. The vocation of news reporter is (was) to find facts and report them to the audience.
The best thing about knowing the truth is that it also clarifies the opposite, what is false. When we go about our daily walk, we get bombarded with audio dialog with people and thoughts of many, many ideas….
Did I lock the door? do I need to get gas on the way home? Is the King James version the only true Bible? Are only truly saved people the ones who talk with English accents? Do NBA stars take steroids like baseball players? Is that filling falling out of my tooth? Am I really going to heaven? Does heaven exist? I hate these socks…
Thousands of questions funnel through our brain everyday, it is how we make decisions, it is how we determine action. When questions come into our head, we test them against what we know, determining the idea of truth/fact or not. Then that is typically followed up with more questions.
What we do know is that when we have the truth, is creates a baseline. A place to start. The bible states. That if we know the truth, it will set us free (John 8:31). Free from what? Lies, false statements and disbelief.
What is your insights and thoughts on knowing the truth or the facts about something?
The importance of knowing the truth is to oppose the false. When we understand and believe the truth about something we can build confidence, security and define our boundaries. When we went through our Boundaries study we learned a lot about how truth helps us define healthy boundaries and be safe.
This week we are going to learn some truths about ourselves. Truths that will create a foundation of a healthy life. This week we are going to learn the truths about how we are accepted.
In the Bible, acceptance is related to being of favor, pleasing, inviting and included. One of the biggest mental and spiritual battles we face on a daily basis is the foundational truth that we are accepted by God, that we matter and that we have favor with God. But it is through the truth that we can understand and believe; have the truth, and oppose the lies and false beliefs that can impact our lives and those around us.
I am God’s child
To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. – John 1:12-13
Friend of Jesus
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. – John 15:15 ESV
Justified & Righteous
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1 ESV
United & One with God
He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. – 1 Corinthians 6:17 NKJV
Purchased and belong to God
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT
Member of Christ’s body
All of you together are the one body of Christ, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. – 1 Corinthians 12:27 TLB
Chosen and adopted
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, – Ephesians 1:3-8 NIV
Redeemed & Forgiven of past sins
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom[a] and forgave our sins. – Colossians 1:13-14 NLT
Complete in Christ
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. – Colossians 2:9-10 NIV
Direct access to throne of Grace through Jesus
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV
Which of these are a strong reminder for you today? Which one(s) seem to slip away that fastest? Which ones are challenged by the world with you?
Confidence in Your Acceptance
It is when the world and our own mind bring the doubt and false statements that rattle our being. They come at us viciously and then also subtly. Sometimes they scream at us, attack us and other times it might be a whisper, or a snide remark . Let these truths be quick at hand. Keep the truth near for quick reference. When we take thoughts captive, test them against the truth and organize them appropriately. If it is not the truth, it is a lie. Don’t dwell on it, don’t entertain it; cast it away. It is a waste of time.