Can You Handle Truth?

     "Have I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"  These words from the book of Galatians (chapter 4 verse 16)  in the Bible voice a question we all have asked at some point in our relationships with one another. Most of us like to think we "tell the truth".  It is even an excuse we sometimes give for hurting someone's feelings.  We pat ourselves on the back by thinking,  "I just tell the truth".  It is interesting that we use this phrase as a way to end all criticism and place our self on what we think is high ground, above reproach.  But when someone says "the truth" to us or about us we feel hurt and terribly abused. 

     In reality we don't believe there is an objective, absolute truth.  We often use "truth" for selfish purposes, but when confronted with truth that doesn't conform to our preconceived ideas, or that crosses our desires, we reject it.  We claim to have truth on our side when is suits our purpose, but reject it when it would require us to make a change because we are not on the side of truth. 

     But truth, by its very definition, must be the same at all times and in all circumstances.  We think we can tell "white lies", or we "bend the truth a little".  But all that does is prove we cannot handle the truth.  Jesus Christ says He IS the truth, that means all that is true originates in Him.  He also says in  John 8:45:  "And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not."  In reality we are natural born liars.  If we really want to know what is true, if we really want to be on the side of truth, if we want to really be able to handle TRUTH;  then we have to humble ourselves to God. 

     The wonderful fact (truth) is that we can know truth, and it can indeed set us free.  But we must be willing to humbly ask and sincerely desire to bring self  into harmony with wherever Truth takes us.  We cannot pick and choose which part we will agree with.  It is an all or nothing proposition.  I cannot be a truthful person if I am half truthful and half liar.  I must yield myself totally to the One Who declares:  "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."  (John 14:6)

     No, you cannot handle the truth.  He must handle you.  Truth is greater than me, you, or any one person.  TRUTH must control and direct us totally.   

WHO ARE THE LOST?

     When you hear the term "the lost", what comes to your mind?  Do you think of specific people that you really believe are lost to God right now?  Or is it more of a general term that applies to "those out there", whatever that means?  Perhaps we think of certain groups of people who don't live for God and seem to be living "wicked" lives. 

     We know we aren't supposed to judge, so I dare say we probably don't think of people we know as being lost.  We like to think they just don't know what we know, but "their heart is right".  God "looks at the heart" so even though all around us are those who go to church on a different day, or don't live the way they "should", we don't really have a burden to "seek and save" them.  We think they are ok "in their own way".

     In Luke 15 Jesus tells about different ways people can be lost.  The point is they are still lost.  Jesus tells us He has sheep who are not in His house, and they are to be called away from where they are so there will be ONE people ready for His Advent.  And in Revelation we see there is a movement God has raised up for the one work of calling out a people who will be lost if they stay where they are.

          Jesus warns us not only that it is the "few" who are saved, but that there will be many who want to be saved but will be lost instead because they are not willing to give themselves completely to God and DO as He commands.   (Luke 13:23ff)

     We are not to see people as lost in order to condemn them, but to save them.  Jesus came to "seek and to save that which was lost".  (Luke 19:10)  If we are to follow Jesus and do the work He did, then we must look at people as lost until we know for a certainty they have surrendered themselves completely to God and are on the narrow road leading to heaven.

     Of course that means we must be completely converted to God ourselves.  Make this your first work each day.  Then go out into the area God has given you to work and seek to save the lost.  Point all to Jesus and urge them to come in. 

A Question of Trust

     While Rose and I were out driving Sunday we saw several apple trees in a yard with apples all over the ground.  I stopped and asked the owner if we could pick up some of the apples on the ground.  He agreed and we got three large bags full.  Today we have been cutting and peeling and cooking apples in order to make apple sauce.   Friday we got some tomatoes from a friend's garden and will be canning them also.  I dug out Rose's old 40 year old Presto pressure canner and have replaced the old parts that needed replacing.  I told Rose maybe we don't have to worry so much about our garden.  We will just glean where the Lord leads us.  I really think He is trying to teach us not to try and depend on ourselves and the plans we make so much.  Learn to see His providence.  Jesus says our Heavenly Father knows just what we need and He longs to provide if we will let Him. 
     We know how much joy we get when we give gifts to our children.  Just think of the joy our Father gets when He is able to give us what He wants too.  We often frustrate His plans and do not allow Him to work because we try to make things go the way we think they should.  There is a real danger now as we get closer to the end of time.  The great lesson we must learn, and the main thing God is trying to teach us, is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Do not lean on your understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).   
     We see things falling apart, and we think we need to make plans to "protect ourselves".  This can be in stocking up on supplies we think we will need, buying precious metals, stocking up on weapons, preparing to defend ourselves by various methods, or other ways. God wants us to do just the opposite.  We are to learn to depend on Him more and more.  "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" (Exodus 14:13).  We rob God of His glory way too often because we do not wait and trust in His loving care for us.  He longs to reveal Himself in many ways, but we often step in and stop His plans by substituting our own. 
     We are not safe anywhere these days.  The son of the lady who lives behind us murdered here a few years ago, and later her house was broken into.  A drugged out man tried to break into the house of the man who lives next to us one night while I was away and Rose was here alone.  And just a few nights ago a neighbor two doors from us, a 92 year old man, was beaten when someone broke into his house and stole his rifles and money.  Psalm 34:7 says: "The angel of the LORD camps round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."  We didn't know anything till the news people stopped by and asked us about it. 
     But suppose the Lord decides to let something happen to us?  Should I have a gun ready to defend myself?  The real question is:  Will I let the Lord of the universe, the One who controls all things, have His way, or will I take matters into my own hands and rob Him of His glory?  It Is Written: "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." (Psalm 76:10)  This means that whatever will not bring glory to God He stops from happening.  He only allows what will ultimately bring His plans to fruition.  We do not know the end from the beginning.  We cannot see the big picture.  We are so self centered we only care about self.  God sees how all the various threads fit together into a big beautiful picture that will bring praise and honor to His name by bringing an end to sin.  Let us learn to submit ourselves to His wise and loving plans in everything.  Let us determine that we will be in such complete submission to God that we can say with Jesus and Job: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." (Job 13:15)