Articles
THE TRUTH BE TOLD
The apostle Paul, in writing to Timothy, said God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1Timothy 2:4). In Ephesians 5:17, he begs the saints at Ephesus to "not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
By these passages, it should be obvious that we can understand what God’s will is –the truth– in regard to religious doctrines and practices. But if we look around us at the modern religious world, we see hundreds of different groups teaching hundreds of different things, and all claiming to have the truth. It can be quite puzzling to anyone who is honestly searching for what is right.
Paul was trying to prevent such a situation in his day. Some of the brethren in the church at Corinth were beginning to divide into different groups. He said, "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1Cor.1:10).
In light of the above passages, do you believe it is possible that all the different religious groups in the world today are all teaching the truth? But what if they teach most of the truth? Is it okay then? What would the inspired apostle Paul write today about all the current division? Perhaps he would point us to what he has already written by inspiration?!
WHO IS RIGHT?
Let's begin by saying that only the Bible is right, not men. After all, "I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." (Jer.10:25).
The inspired Word of God must be recognized as the only standard (rule) for religious authority, not doctrinal creeds, confessions or manuals written by uninspired men. Paul says in 2Tim.3:16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
WHY SHOULD I FIND OUT THE TRUTH?
We should be diligent in finding it out and obeying it because God's Word is going to judge us in the end. It is the “standard” by which we’ll be judged. Jesus said, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." Paul says, "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.." (2Cor.5:10).
As Christians, we have been entrusted with the truth. Let us not hold it only to ourselves, but rather be found encouraging others to put aside all confusing, contradictory creeds, confessions, manuals, and denominational doctrines. May we be found teaching and persuading others to only follow the pure gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." (1Jn.5:3).
