Have you received the love of the truth?

Why could it be important to receive the love of the truth?

Consider this --

The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,

and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, 

because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

The word, "refused" seems to indicate that a choice was made.

The truth was offered but "they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them." 2 Thessalonians 2:10

They may be similar to those Peter referred to in a letter.

Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

"Where is the promise of His coming?" they will ask.

"Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation." 2 Peter 3:3-4

Interestingly, they believed in a creation but doubted mockingly that Jesus was coming again.

But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

through which the world of that time perished in the flood. 2 Peter 3:5-6

They "deliberately overlook the [scriptural] fact." 2 Peter 3:5

Other translations say that they "willingly forget" or "unobserved by them willingly" or "willingly are ignorant of" which also indicates a rebellious choice was made when faced with the truth.

Jesus said of God the Father's word, 

"Your word is truth" and prayed that He would "sanctify [separate for service and make holy] them [His followers then and forever] by the truth." John 17:17

WHEN YOUR BELIEFS ARE CHALLENGED

Many of us accept certain truths from the Bible as undeniable and NOT subject to debate.

However, we must realize that many religions, interpretations, and practices differ on these and other supposed truths.

If we're critiqued, criticized, or cross-examined by others either personally or through audio, video, or the printed page, some will shrink back and hide.

"No, that must be wrong. I've always believed this way. No, I don't accept your teaching because it contradicts what I was taught many years ago and still believe." 

What could be a better approach?

How about this?

DIVE into any feeling of being uncomfortable. 

"You know, I've never looked at your religion [or this interpretation of the Bible] closely. Let's discuss this further."

If you hear, see, or read something that causes a little doubt, a crack in your belief system, WELCOME it as an opportunity to study, learn, and find the truth.

NOT EVERY TRUTH IS THE TRUTH

This may come as a shock to those who believe that all people are God's children.

Jesus said that some are of their father, the devil. John 8:44

And that some are the children of this evil one. Matthew 13:19, 37-39

Aren't there many gods and lords in the world now as there were in Paul's day? Acts 17:16, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 8:5

But to followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, those born again by God the Father, John 1:12-13; 3:3, 5-7; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5:1

there is but one God, the Father, from Whom all things came and for Whom we exist.

And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom all things came and through Whom we exist. 1 Corinthians 8:6

In contrast, there would be beliefs that the children of the devil Matthew 13:37-39; John 8:44 and followers of the many gods and lords have. 1 Corinthians 8:5 

Some proclaim these doctrines as truth.

Paul might look Acts 17:16 at today's religious and spiritual landscape and write that these are inspired by 

deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 1 Timothy 4:1

How can someone be so sure? 

Which is right and which is wrong?

Is Paul correct about there being one God and one mediator [intermediary] between God and people, the man, Christ Jesus? 1 Timothy 2:5-6 

If so, then wouldn't THEY through the Holy Spirit John 16:13; 1 John 5:6 want people to receive the love of THEIR TRUTH that's able to save them? 2 Thessalonians 2:10

THREE MAIN WITNESSES

The Bible says that the Father draws people [influences, pulls] people toward His Son, Jesus, and teaches them. John 6:44-45 

The Father gave Jesus to save everyone who would believe. John 3:16-17

Jesus, through the power of His sacrifice on the cross, Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 7:27; 9:26; 10:10,12 draws all people to Himself. John 12:32-33

The Holy Spirit convinces the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. John 16:7-11

They offer the truth of salvation through Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no one can come to the Father except through Jesus. John 14:6; Acts 4:11-12

This same Jesus is God in a human body. Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3

He has always been God the Word John 1:1-2 Who became flesh and lived among humans. John 1:14

Philip said to Him [Jesus], "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." John 14:8

Some TODAY have that same plea --

"Just point us to the Father. You were a good man, Jesus, but people make you out as God, equal with the Father, and that's hard to believe."

Jesus replied, "Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me?

Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" John 14:8-9

GET THE SON TO GET THE FATHER

Jesus said, "Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son,

so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.

Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him." John 5:22-23

John wrote, Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well. 1 John 2:23

Whoever believes in the Son of God [Jesus] has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.

And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:10-11

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven." Matthew 16:16-17 

ANOTHER WITNESS: THE FATHER'S WORKS 

The healings and miracles that Jesus did testified that God the Father sent Him. Mark 7:37; John 3:1-2; 15:24

"But I [Jesus] have testimony more substantial than that of John [the Baptist].

For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me." John 5:36

"Never before has anyone heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.

If this man [Jesus] were not from God, He could do no such thing." John 9:32-33

So the Jews gathered around Him [Jesus] and demanded,

"How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."

"I already told you," Jesus replied, "but you did not believe. 

The works I do in My Father's name testify on My behalf." John 10:24-25

We can believe the words and works of the Lord Jesus Christ as THE truth because they were from the Father.

"Do you not believe that I [Jesus] am in the Father and the Father is in Me?

The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own.

Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.

Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves." John 14:10-11

ANOTHER WITNESS: JESUS' RESURRECTION

Jesus said, "The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again.

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.

I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.

This charge I have received from My Father." John 10:17-18

Peter proclaimed, "We are witnesses of all that He [Jesus] did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem.

And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree,

God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen— not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead." Acts 10:39-41

Paul preached, "Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.

For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man [Jesus] He has appointed.

He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead." Acts 17:30-31

The gospel He [God the Father] promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,

regarding His Son [Jesus], who was a descendant of David according to the flesh,

and Who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:2-4

ARE WE IN THE TRUTH? 2 Corinthians 13:5

How can we tell if we've received the love of the truth, 2 Thessalonians 2:10 that is, God the Father's truth about His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ 1 John 5:10-11 and walk in truth? 2 John v.4; 3 John vs.3-4

We hear (or read) the words of Jesus and do them. Matthew 7:24-25; James 1:22

Jesus said, "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27

We receive the whole truth, counsel, and plan of the Father in the totality of the Bible. Luke 24:27, 44; Acts 20:26-27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We believe that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 John 2:27 so that we understand accurately. Luke 24:45; Ephesians 1:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:15

Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence. 1 John 3:18-19

To love in action and truth are evidence that we belong to the truth.

Many years ago Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?" John 18:38

"I came to testify to the truth," Jesus said. John 18:37

The truth that Jesus claimed was and is the truth, biblical truth.

For sure?

Jesus said that the Scripture cannot be broken. John 10:35

He said that the Old Testament Scriptures spoke of Him, John 5:39 Moses wrote of Him, John 5:46 and that the prophets and the psalms also wrote about Himself. Luke 24:27, 44

WRESTLE TO GET THE TRUTH Ephesians 6:10-13 

Jesus said, "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it." Matthew 11:12

Even though the Father and Jesus draw and the Holy Spirit convinces as noted earlier, the devil is at work, too.

Satan wants to take the word of the Lord out of the human heart before it's believed. Matthew 13:19; Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12 

Satan also wants to blind the minds of those who don't believe it. 2 Corinthians 4:4 

So, you, I, and each person must react with force to lay claim to the real truth Matthew 11:12 with an honest and good heart. Luke 8:8, 15

We'll also need to tear down arguments. 2 Corinthians 10:5 

We'll need to extinguish Ephesians 6:16 the lies of the devil. John 8:44 

We'll need to stand against Acts 6:9-10; Titus 1:9-11; Jude v.3 the teachings of demons. 1 Timothy 4:1 

We'll need to expose the false gospels, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4; Galatians 1:6-9 

false apostles, 2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2 

false teachers, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 18; Jude v.4 

and anyone who promotes human commands and teachings instead of the truth. Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:22; 2 Timothy 4:3-4 

In love John 3:16-16; 2 Corinthians 5:11, 14-15; Ephesians 4:15 we'll need to reach out to false brothers and sisters 2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4 with the true gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 5:12 

WHAT CAN WE GET IF WE RECEIVE THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH?

Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment.

Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24

"Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him Who is true;

and we are in Him Who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

Your thoughts?

R. Jason