THE REAL TRUTH

TUESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2022

Real truth is of divine origin (God's truth). It is the oxygen that awakens and energizes the human spirit, soul and body, because it is not an ordinary actuality. By oxygen, I mean that it is "life-sustaining" eternal verity which is quite essential to living and maintaining a high quality Christian life. Psalm 119:160 reads, "The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of your righteous ordinances is everlasting." Real truth is a person known as Christ.

Reference: Ephesians 4:21 New Living Translation (NLT) "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,"

The real truth is found in Christ Jesus because according to the book of John, grace and truth came through our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:17 ESV). And this truth is extensively known as the gospel truth. The gospel truth is a wealthy and healthy knowledge with power which highlights the importance of divine information and intelligence, leading to a clear and ultimate purpose of God for mankind. That ultimate purpose is to set free and deliver mankind from eternal damnation. John 3:16 (NIV) reads, '"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." His one and only "Son" here represents the "real truth." Whoever believes in this truth, will not perish because its a truth that delivers.

Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32 ESV). The knowledge of the truth sets men free. Moreover, we must be persistent in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus because there are many accessible information out there, equally known as the truth. This is why we have the Holy Spirit to guide us into it. John 16:13 (NKJV) reads, "When He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth." So we need to be guided into it because its a spiritual dimension.

In his exhortation to the Philippian church, apostle Paul outlined the characteristics of this very truth that is in Christ. This can be found in Philippians 4:8 (KJV): "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." In other words, this truth is pure, honest, just, lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy. All of these are various facets of attestation linked to the Logos. Therefore we must develop the habit of cogitating on them. When we think or meditate on them, as revealed in the Scripture, they enrich and strengthen us to be effective, as well as, become part of us.

No wonder apostle Paul noted in the next verse, "The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you" (see Philippians 4:9 AMP). That means, practise daily the truth you learn, receive, hear and perceive. Significantly, divine truth is absorbed by meditation, which is the reason apostle started by urging us to "think on them". The truth illuminates our understanding and conscience, and drives us to the point of action. Every truth of the Word is an "indestructible" seed that can bear fruit, because it is an everlasting Word of God. In another way, it can produce and reproduce its instruction or directive in our lives when acted upon by faith. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - 2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 119:142; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:16.

Guided Prayer: Dear Father, your truth inspires me to see the beauty of your goodness and glory in all areas of my life. By the influence of your Spirit at work in me, I daily engage in spiritual contemplation of the Word, which empowers me to practise the truth and drives my sense of trusting in you and leaning on your grace for my victorious and prosperous living in Jesus' Name, Amen!