Truth versus Lies

… just my thoughts and ramblings by Linden Lawrence What is TRUTH?

I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.1 In my circle of friends and acquaintances, there are those who promote “their truth” who seem to turn a deaf ear to truth presented by other legitimate sources, especially Biblical sources. This is not surprising, in fact it is wise in many cases, when considering previous encounters with unthinking, dogmatic, legalistic, and bully pulpit types, be they family or “well meaning” friends. Each of us as individuals have a unique frame of reference based on past experiences. Concepts that may challenge our world view are often subsequently dismissed without further thought. Is this rejection? Is it license to disenfranchise another who may have a different opinion? To professed Christians, please consider these words: “He who has an ear, let him hear…” words addressed to early churches. (Rev 2:29, read onward to what He has to say to the seven churches…) It seems that within our culture we have lost the art of listening. Isn’t it reasonable that we care enough about another person to first try to understand “where they might be coming from”, and what may have influenced them, and why they may find strength/comfort within their own “collective mental turf”? Who are these people? They are you and I. Each individual is very important to God; shouldn’t they also be important to us? Regardless of our being pauper or prince; illiterate or educated? When can we find a teachable moment, to engage and learn from one another? Discovering such moments and appropriately using them is part of the art of teaching and then reaching out to make a difference. Do we reach more bees with honey or vinegar? Let us learn to ask ourselves: Is this a teachable moment or just another opportunity to argue and cultivate further polarization? What is to be gained or lost? Let us be aware of these moments and cautious to choose the fabric of our forms of influence. I want to be open with where I’m coming from, yes, I’m a professed Christian. I have failed multiple times in my representation of Christ, in fact there was a period of twenty years in my life that I turned away from God, to fully experience doing things “my way”; I did not then find what was self-satisfying. As one enjoying the benefits of retirement, I now have the luxury of daily spending the first hour (most often more) in devotional time spent with an open Bible. Daily, I am enriched with deep reaching truth. This world is passing away without us even realizing it. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.2 The world is passing away, it is the last hour, where are the watchmen? Could it be that “God’s people who profess to believe present truth are not in a waiting, watching position? They are increasing in riches and are laying up their treasures upon the earth. They are becoming rich in worldly things, but not rich toward God. They do not believe in the shortness of time; they do not believe that the end of all things is at hand, that Christ is at the door. [3]

So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God4. The question for us may be: Are we willing to listen? Are we too busy to reason? If so, shouldn’t we therefore be too busy to cram our point of view down another’s throat? As I earlier stated, listening is becoming a lost art or skill, or so “me thinks”…doesn’t it too often degrade into who can outshout the other, especially in platforms like social media? There is opportunity for reasoning, but does take place? “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.5

May we accept this challenge? Let’s stop pushing our own agendas and be humble seekers of Truth?

When all is said and done, TRUTH will stand for itself, never-the-less we need not be ashamed for taking a stand for truth, as long as we represent the manner, life example, and teachings of Jesus Christ. Let us take the time to be true Christians.

1 The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Jn 2:21). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 2The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Jn 2:16-18). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 3Testimonies for the Church. (1855). (Vol. 2, p. 196). Pacific Press Publishing Association. 4The New King James Version. (1982). (Romans 10:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson 5 The New King James Version. (1982). (Isaiah 1:18). Nashville: Thomas Nelson