Confident (1) - Does it Really Matter Which "Truth" I Believe? - John3: 19-21, 8:31-36

 

Confident (1) – Does it Really Matter Which “Truth” I Believe? – October 15, 2023

We begin a new six-week study entitled “Confident in the Face of Hard Questions.”

Our focus scripture is John 3:19-21, 8:31-36.

Knowing the truth of CHRIST is the only way we can experience freedom.

I am not sure what the author of our title had in mind when he or she penned the words, which “Truth” I believe. There is only one truth. So, how does one find that one truth. I know it took me many years.

I accepted JESUS as my Savior when I was about 9 years old. All I knew was that something took place but it was many years later before I understood what actually took place. My life has been a journey of discovery. I know that JESUS and I walk together and I have lots of questions and HE leads me to truth. Often puzzling but then truth emerges when I press on to discover truth. I know that may be confusing to some.

Truth and trust go hand in hand. Trust is built upon relationship with GOD through our faith in JESUS. Our faith in JESUS unlocks the door leading to GOD. Once a person places his/her faith in JESUS, that person experiences the miracle of Spiritual birth into GOD’S Family, never to be unborn.  

Light dispels darkness. JESUS is GOD’S true light. Let’s explore!

We know that as we get closer to the second coming of JESUS, the true Gospel, as know it, will be distorted by those doing the work of Satan/Anti-Christ. Of course, they will appear to be sheep but they are wolves beneath the exterior. That is why all Christians must know the truth as revealed in GOD’S Word, The Bible.

In Matthew 24, JESUS was educating HIS disciples regarding the end times. Verse 24 is but a small part of things yet to come.

Matthew 24:24:

“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

Notice, they will perform great signs and wonders. Who else can perform? Satan. JESUS defeated Satan when GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead on the third day and eternal death was conquered by the shed blood of JESUS. The physical death and physical resurrection of JESUS by GOD on the third day is proof that JESUS defeated death for all who place their faith in JESUS. Folks that is the Good News of the Gospel. All people need this truth.

If those who want to know what kind of body Spirit-born believers will have after their resurrection, study what JESUS could do after the resurrection of HIS bodily resurrection.

Some false teachers will attempt to convince you that there are many ways to Heaven and unless you are anchored/know the scripture, they may turn your way of thinking to embrace alternate ways of thinking and eternal salvation.

There is only one way to Heaven and that is by placing your faith in a JESUS whose shed blood paid, in full, for all of our sins. When a person places his/her faith in JESUS, they are spiritually born into GOD’S Eternal Family, never to be unborn.

Does it matter which truth we believe? Without a doubt it does! Why? It is because there is only one truth. Some may say I reject what I read in the Bible as truth! Then confess it to GOD and ask HIM to reveal the real truth to you and read the Book of John. If you hit a snag, then ask GOD to help you get through the snag. Ask GOD to give you understanding and enlighten you. Why? I come from years of exploring the Bible and have gone through Dr. Blackaby’s book “Experiencing God.” I believe GOD will speak to you in whatever way HE can get your attention. You will not be disappointed the instant you die.

Let’s read John 3:19-21:

¹⁹ “This is the basis for judgment: The light came into the world, and people loved darkness more than the light, for their actions are evil. ²⁰ All who do wicked things hate the light and don’t come to the light for fear that their actions will be exposed to the light. ²¹ Whoever does the truth comes to the light so that it can be seen that their actions were done in God. Because JESUS is the light and embodies truth.

Do you want to know the truth, then seek the light. But some may ask but where is the light or how does one find the light?

There is only one true light and that is JESUS the CHRIST.

In general, people are afraid of exposure to the righteousness GOD expects. In our flesh, we do not measure up and that is why GOD sent HIS only SON into the world.

Let’s consider 2 Corinthians 5:1:

5 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. ² Indeed, we groan in this tent (Earth Suit), desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling (Our new eternal body), ³ since, when we are clothed,^[a] we will not be found naked. ⁴ Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. (eternal life) ⁵ Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit (The Holy Spirit) as a down payment.

⁶ So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

¹¹ Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences. ¹² We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart. ¹³ For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all who place their faith in JESUS died with HIM. ¹⁵ And he (CHRIST) died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised (JESUS).

This is very important – in essence, when JESUS died upon the cross, those who place their faith in JESUS died with HIM for their sins. When JESUS was raised from the physically dead those who accept JESUS as their Savior will not suffer death but will be resurrected to eternal life in their new bodies. WOW!!! Now that is Good News.

It means when you die physically you will not experience the death of your earthly body. Your born-again/Spirit-born body goes, fashioned by GOD goes immediately or sooner to be with GOD in Heaven.

The Apostle Paul continues:

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹⁶ From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective.^[b] Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective,^[c] yet now we no longer know him in this way. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has^[d] come! ¹⁸ Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. ¹⁹ That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin (JESUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him (JESUS) we might become the righteousness of God.

WOW!!! That is a lot to comprehend. Those who are born-again have been given the “Message of reconciliation.” Since those who are born-again are ambassadors for CHRIST, not will be.

Those born-again have been given the gift of reconciliation. An ambassador has full authority to represent JESUS and offer the plan of salvation to all GOD gives you the opportunity to present salvation through faith in JESUS. So do not be timid. You may feel like you goofed but GOD uses our goofs to lead others to salvation.

Notice verse 21, “²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin (JESUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him (JESUS) we might become the righteousness of God.

When a human places his or her faith in JESUS, he or she becomes the righteousness of GOD! And GOD Gifts them with Spiritual Gifts to represent JESUS to the people of the World.

These are the truths. Do you accept them or reject? The key is faith.

Let’s read John 8:31-32:

Children of Abraham

³¹ Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Let’s read John 8:33-36:

³³ They responded, “We are Abraham’s children; we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. How can you say that we will be set free?”

What makes people Abraham’s children? It is “faith!” How can that be?

Let’s read Genesis 15:6:

⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he (GOD) credited it to him as righteousness.

Let’s consider Genesis 22. 22 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

² Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

³ So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. ⁴ Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. ⁵ And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the ^[a]lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”

This is the faith that Abraham had. Offering Issac as a burnt offering meant killing Issac, burning Issac and reducing him to ashes. Yet, Abraham told his servants that, “we will come back to you!” This expresses the faith that Abraham had faith in GOD that HE would resurrect and restore Issac. Abraham had passed GOD’S test.

What does that mean for humans today? GOD sent HIS ONE and Only SON, JESUS to earth to live a sinless life for JESUS to become the perfect sacrifice for every person who will place his or her faith in JESUS. The person will be forgiven for their sins and be born Spiritually into GOD’S Family and receive the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that they Spirit-born. JESUS conquered the consequence of sin, which is eternal death. But all who ask JESUS into his or her heart are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, never to be unborn.

Sin must be conquered and JESUS did that when HE gave HIS sinless life to pay the sin debt for all who ask for forgiveness, in full.

³⁴ Jesus answered, “I assure you that everyone who sins 35 A slave isn’t a permanent member of the household, but a son is. ³⁶ Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you really will be free.

Do you want to be a Son or Daughter through the miracle of Spiritual birth? Then ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your life. The choice is yours to make. Heaven or Hell. Blessings!!!