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"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Do
you know the truth of the Bible? So many people teach so many things about the Bible. Most
denominations teach different things and have different beliefs they say are based on the
same Bible. Who is right? Paul stated that Christians are to give "diligence to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3 ASV). However, unity is
not possible when people are teaching contradicting doctrines. Paul pleaded, "Now I
beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the
same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together
in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10 ASV). One casual glance
at the religious world will show that we are miserably failing Paul's admonition found in
this verse.
The fact that Jesus stated, "ye shall know the truth" indicates that it is possible to know Bible truth and implies there is ample untruth about the Bible as well. The truth will make a person free. Untruth will make a person lost. Some people "received not the love of the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:10) and therefore do not care what they hear or believe, as long as it scratches their "itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3 ASV). Such people will one day be lost (2 Thessalonians 2:12) because they fell into the category described by Jesus when He said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). We have an obligation to search out and know the truth. God "would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4 ASV). Notice my part: I must come to the knowledge of truth. I must "buy the truth, and sell it not" (Proverbs 23:23a). I need to study God's word so I know how to properly handle it, and therefore be not ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15). I must be able to tell if what I am hearing from the pulpit is a "doctrine of men", and therefore vain (Matthew 15:9), or if it's the truth of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13). God's truth will make the obedient person complete, ready for every good work, and give him everything that "pertains unto life and godliness" (2 Timothy 3:17, 2 Peter 1:3). Do you know God's truth? Are you searching for God's truth? Investigate the things you are hearing before you invest your eternal soul in them. John warns, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1 ASV). We must "prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). There is so much that is being taught that simply is not truth. Dear reader, if you are not hearing Biblical truth taught from your particular church, we urge you to investigate the church of Christ in your community. We promise to let the Bible speak, with book, chapter, and verse teaching for all those interested in what the Bible says, instead of what the preacher says. We are also willing to answer any questions and also defend any teachings with which you may be unfamiliar with book, chapter, and verse to back it up. Give us a chance to share the truth. |