Christianity was supposed to be about becoming like Jesus. | |||||
We went in the wrong direction. |
Can the Truth Set You Free? |
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Diogenes searching for an honest man. |
The age old question, "What is truth?" |
Truth is more than
honesty. A person can be honestly mistaken. Truth transcends desire and perception.
Truth is the total and accurate description of all existence. It is
constant (unchanging) because that which is described is constant. Truth
is the path to God because He is the only eternal and unchanging constant
in the universe. All that exists was created and is sustained by Him.
Nature itself tells us about our creator.
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The intricate design of a living cell | The constancy and radiance of a sunrise | The awesome and majestic expanse of the heavens | ||
Why can't we see what is true? |
Our own limited abilities | We are not as smart as we like to think. The Bible compares us to clay questioning a potter. In addition to our limited abilities we further blind ourselves to truth by mocking God and declaring ourselves to be wise. | ||
Our preference for comfort | Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle that it was for a rich man to get into heaven. This tells us how much we naturally prefer comfort over truth. It is difficult to think of a stronger prison than one built of comfort, ease, and possessions. | ||
The devil | A powerful angel named Satan rebelled against God and tricked Adam and Eve into sin. As a result, he got temporary dominion over the whole world. Jesus said of him that when he lies, he speaks his native language. | ||
The world | The history of the world is pretty much the history of the advance of collectivism. Satan uses schools, media, governments, businesses, and sadly even churches to bring the whole world under his collective control. | ||
Considering everything against us, how is it we can still find truth ? |
Jesus brings light | Jesus is the light
of the world. Jesus is truth and His word is truth.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. |
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Jesus gives life |
Through faith we can receive a new life from Him who is truth. John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: |
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Jesus waits for us to ask Him to help us. | Jesus offers an
abiding life. He cares for each of us that we would walk in truth.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. |
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Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. - John 8:31-32 | ||
From what does truth free us? |
Vanity | The desire for the approval of
men makes us slaves to their opinions.
Matthew 23:27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you are like tombs that have been whitewashed, which look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead men's bones and everything impure. |
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Greed | The desire to own things often
leads to our being owned by our things.
Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. |
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Lust | Transient pleasures never
satisfy. The person not consumed by his desires is often left jaded and
unable to enjoy even simple pleasures.
1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. |
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Pride | The blindness of pride creates
an artificial world in which we see ourselves as rulers. It is a kingdom
hostile to truth
Revelation 3:17 For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. |
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Self-righteousness | We can come to think that we
have all the answers and need to instruct the less enlightened.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. |
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Self-delusion | We can come to believe that we
are superior, prosperous, and have created our future so we will never
want, or have need.
Isaiah 47:8 Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: |
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