The Everlasting Truth
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” These words of Christ were recorded in Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, and Luke 21:33. In these statements God is claiming His Word to be indestructible. Many have tried countless times to destroy this “Everlasting Truth.”
In A.D. 303, Diocletian, emperor of Pagan Rome, made a systematic attempt to destroy every single copy of Scripture in existence. In the 16th Century, before the reformation, the State-Church of the middle ages tried to prevent the common people, in almost all parts of Europe, from access to a Bible. When this failed, all copies were found and burned. Atheism, Communism, and scientific criticism are other weapons that have been used to try and destroy God’s Word.
All attempts have failed. The faithful of God, who love and honor their Redeemer, have with patience and consistency, endured crusades of persecution and violence, yet continued to scatter God’s precious seeds of truth. These seeds of truth have been watered with the blood of Jesus and have sprung up, yielding much fruit. The Bible is a gift from God to us. He has committed to mankind knowledge necessary for salvation. We will examine the Bible to discover what role this “Everlasting Truth,” plays in our Choosing God.
Let us begin with prayer. Lord, open my mind that I may be able to discern and receive your eternal truths, in Christ’s name, Amen.
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost,” 2 Peter 1:21. The minds of the authors of the Bible were impressed by the Holy Ghost, with the thoughts of God. Since the thoughts originated with God, the true author of the Bible is God. God has given us His Word that we might know Him, the True and Living God.
“All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16. Inspire means to fill someone with an idea, emotion, or attitude. The whole Bible was inspired by God. He has given us the Bible as a guide so that we might know the truth and live our lives accordingly.
Many professed Christians do not accept the whole Bible as the inspired word of God. Some portions of the Bible are rejected, and other portions are questioned. In doing this they set up their judgment as superior to God’s Word. When all Scripture is not accepted as inspired, its divine authenticity is destroyed and the selector teaches by their personal authority.
When studying the Bible keep these two principles in mind: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation,” 2 Peter 1:20. “For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little,” Isaiah 28:10. Always began a study with prayer, asking for God’s guidance and understanding. Select a subject, and then identify all Scripture relative to that subject. You should then compare Scripture with Scripture and allow the Bible to explain itself. This will help prevent misinterpretation of any given passage. Allow God to speak to you through the Scriptures.
Superficially reading the Bible will not give understanding. Dig deep into the Word of God; search the Scriptures, as one searching for hidden treasure. One must have an open mind and a teachable spirit to receive from God. Dependence upon the Holy Spirit for guidance is the key to understanding God’s Word. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth,’ John 16:13. This is why it is important to pray for guidance before beginning a study. The Holy Spirit will give you an understanding of what you study.
We must sincerely want to know the truth to be able to receive it. Some people look for excuses that will allow them to continue walking on a wrongful path in life. Because they do not love the truth, God will allow them to be deceived. There is great danger in rejecting the truth. “[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness,”2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.
Jesus has instructed us to, “Search the scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me,” John 5:39. We should not take the word of anyone as to what the Scriptures teach, but should study the word of God for ourselves. It is through the Scriptures that we come to know Christ. When Jesus gave these instructions the New Testament had not been written. Jesus was showing that the Old Testament pointed to Him. Jesus Christ is the central theme of the Bible.
The word of God includes the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament. Because of the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament, concerning the coming of the Messiah, the people of Jesus’ day were afforded an opportunity to receive and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
The New Testament confirms that Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior did come to planet earth. By seeing the fulfillment of prophecy, we are greatly enriched with the power to believe. Because no Scripture has failed, we can accept God’s Word as true. The Old and New Testaments confirm each other.
The scriptures are able to, “Able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15. The Word of God has saving power. Through faith in Jesus Christ, the Scriptures will give an understanding of God and the plan of salvation. Without understanding who God is, and His plan for your life, it is impossible to make a decision to follow Him.
The scriptures are very important for winning spiritual battles. When Jesus was tempted he began his defense with, “It is written.” (see Matthew 4:4,7,10; Luke 20:17). Jesus is the Son of God. Yet, He did not depend upon himself for strength to win the battle against Satan. He did not hesitate to rely on the strength and surety of God’s Word. Christ is our example. In His reply, “It is written,” He was teaching man that we are to place all our dependence and trust in God.
When our minds are fortified with the Word of God we will know God’s will for our lives. His Word is what identified right from wrong. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy Word is truth, John 17:17. We can make daily decisions based upon a “Thus said the Lord.” Our safety will always lie in obedience to God’s word. It is the knowledge of the Word of God that safeguards us from sin. “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee,” Psalms 119:11.
We must understand and believe the truth to be saved. “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,” 2 Thessalonians 2:13. A person can be very sincere in his or her belief. But if what they believe is not true, no matter what the depth of their sincerity is, it will not save them. If a person sincerely believes they can fly and jumps off the top of the Empire State building, no how sincere they are reality soon sets in. Yet it is too late to save them. Their belief was sincere but it was a deception. We must sincerely accept and believe the truth, God’s Word.
It is important that we compare what is being taught by the Word of God. These (the Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so,” Acts 17:11. If a person’s teaching does not agree with the Scripture it should not be accepted. “To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them,” Isaiah 8:20. The Bible is to be accepted as the word of the infinite God. It brings an end to all controversy and is the foundation of our faith.
If we are willing to be obedient and follow what we already know to be true, Jesus promises we will recognize truth. “If any man will do his (God’s) will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself,” John17:17. Why should God reveal more and more truth to us when we are not following what he has already revealed? You may not understand all of God’s will for your life but you must be willing to do that which you do understand, no matter what it may be. Then God will continually reveal Himself and His will for your life as you embrace the everlasting truth.
