The wise man Solomon advised, “Buy the
truth and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23). In
the marketplace of ideas one must be careful to distinguish the true from the
counterfeit. Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you
free” (John 8:32). How will we know the
truth when we see it? Some seek truth in their own hearts, though
the Bible warns, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). How much
religious error do we subject ourselves to when we follow the path of simply
doing what “seems right”, or “what I’ve always believed.” Some seek truth from preachers and church
councils, accepting what they are told without question, though Paul warned,
“Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things” (Acts
20:30). Men are fallible, subject to
error. Preachers and religious-leaders
may be ever so sincere in their beliefs, and still be misled. We who endeavor to preach the truth of God
should do so with fear and trembling. We
dare not seek what is regarded as popular in our religious circles. While this may seem to be the way to go, it
opens the door to error. Ultimate truth is found in Jesus, who said,
“I am the way, the truth and the life.
No man cometh to the Father but by me” (John 14:6). Truth is found in His word, the Scriptures,
of which Paul wrote, “All scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy
3:16-17). How many supposed “truths” do
we defend even when we have accepted such “truths” on their popularity. We should follow the example of the noble
Bereans who, upon hearing the apostle Paul’s proclamation of the gospel,
“searched the scriptures (to see) whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). |
- Ronald Bartanen is a
retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois,
Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved
wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near
family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com |
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Searching for Truth?
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