4/27/23
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
The word "language" appears 29 times in the Bible. Most of the time, the word "language" refers to a natural language, such as the Jews' language or the Syrian language. As usual, if we want to understand the significance of any scriptural term, we should go back to where the word is first mentioned in the Bible. Therefore, we will start with Genesis 11:1-9, which describes the origin of Babylon, which speaks of the efforts of man to reach God. Among other things, that seems to imply that God has built into the human race, starting from Adam, an innate desire to seek God. How else can we explain the offerings of Cain and Abel?
They journeyed from the east. How did they get to the east (of Eden) in the first place? through Cain, whose posterity are called Kenites. There are hundreds of millions of Kenites today. Some of them are even in our churches. (Matthew 13:25-40)
Nod is the Hebrew root of the verb "to wander," or "vagrancy," specifically vagrancy from the Lord. There have been, ever since Cain, two kingdoms in the earth today. They are truth vs. error; light vs. darkness; love vs. hate; God vs. Satan, Babylon vs the Kingdom of God, etc.
Returning to Genesis 11, verse 2.
Substitutes! and a lack of patience, because the normal way to make brick was to let the sun dry the bricks. My, how we all need more patience.
Genesis 11, verse 3.
In Christendom, the modern-day version of a tower speaks of the pointed spires of church structures. Note in verses 2 and 3 the three occurrences of "let us," in contrast to "let God," such as
With respect to "let us make us a name," we have assigned names to businesses, boats, streets, airplanes, houses, lands, cars, churches, and children after our self, in an effort to perpetuate our name. I have said many times that whenever a church takes a name, that is the first step down a slippery slope to missing what the Lord has for us.
First Corinthians, of course, is primarily a letter of correction that Paul wrote, concerning a variety of errors (at least seven) that had crept into that church. It is worth reflecting that the members of The Church at Corinth calling themselves by different names is the FIRST error addressed by Paul. He addresses this problem even before the (rampant) fornication, which he first mentions in Chapter 5. Why the order? Perhaps because "he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body" (Chapter 6:18), but the naming process had affected EVERY believer (Chapter 1:12).
After the fall, as a result of losing his God-given dominion, man also lost his authority to give out names. Of course, man has continued to exercise the function of giving names, even though he no longer has that authority. This is an external outworking of the rebellion of man. For example, in Genesis 4:16-17, "And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, ... and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch."
So the dominion (and the right to "name") originally given to Adam, but lost in the fall, now belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ as a result of the redemption purchased at the cross of Calvary.
Any believer walks in a very precarious position when he begins to make a "name" for himself. It is very easy to make a name for yourself, but it requires some compromises along the way. Anyone who has an apparent gift that appeals to the senses (such as healing or miracles) or a reasonable message of "truth" (or even a word that sounds pleasant to the ears) can relatively quickly establish audiences in numerous places. Before long, you can become a speaker at the large conferences and make yourself nationally known. There are currently, in the United States, perhaps hundreds, of such "names" that will one day be humbled by God in the sight of man. Some already have been. Many of these "names" will surprise you.
Even if man begins to acquire a "name," but not through his own efforts, there is still potential peril, albeit of a different variety. Such a person is subjected to significant attacks by the enemy. There is no better example than Jesus Himself. Not only did Jesus not make a name for Himself, He MADE Himself of NO reputation (Philippians 2:7). Jesus never sought the applause of men.
The "best" name for any believer may be summed up by Revelation 2:17,
Two more sets of verses which contain the word "language," which in the natural realm means the principal method of human communication, but in the spiritual realm speaks of the pure language that the Lord is in the process of bringing about in His chosen vessels.
There will come a time when God's people will all "speak the same thing" as it were, for we read in
Those verses have not yet been fulfilled. "The people," of course, refers to the Lord's chosen people. Think of it - a pure language. I doubt that the pure language will be English or Spanish or any other natural language. It will be the language of the Spirit ... we will all be praising and worshipping the Father for an eternity.
The last part of that verse ... "in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts," tells us that until the Lord returns, our churches will always have impostors, including false teachers.
Now let us consider what is Truth, followed by how we come to the knowledge of the Truth. What is the relationship between a pure language and the truth? basically, the pure language speaks only about the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
What is truth? Pilate asked this question in response to a statement Jesus had made to him.
That same question has been asked multitudes of times since Pilate asked it. Pilate looked Truth straight in the eye and asked, "What is truth?" No one is able to give an answer that will satisfy every person or group of believers. It means one thing to some, another thing to others. What is hidden from our view when we think of truth? it was NOT referring to modes of baptism nor the basic plan of Salvation. I could safely rule out the various prophetic interpretations and teachings that have become threadbare with age and misuse. What was Jesus referring to when He used the word "truth"?
Was Jesus talking about the same thing that Paul was referring to when he wrote, in 2 Timothy 3:7, "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Paul used the "epi" word here for "knowledge" (epignosis - knowledge above knowledge).
Does it take a special "knowledge upon knowledge" to learn the Truth that Jesus was referring to? There are so many places in the New Testament where "epignosis" is used that it might seem to indicate that we cannot find real truth when we operate only in the natural wisdom and abilities which we have.
Almost everyone who has a doctrine to promote, puts great emphasis on "the truth" when they expound what they think the scriptures are saying. Certainly, every church would say they believe the Bible is the word of God. Of course, what they mean is that their interpretation of the word of God is true.
God does not, necessarily, endorse one person's special doctrine over the other. As a matter of fact, Jesus was NOT referring to doctrinal beliefs when He used the word "TRUTH." Not at all! TRUTH, as Jesus used the word in many places, is referring to what is real, and enduring, as opposed to that which is unreal and temporary. I do not believe that when time is no more we will have Bible studies in heaven.
God has promised to shake mightily the earth. When the shaking is finished, one kingdom will remain. Do you know which one?
Many so-called "doctrines of truth" will also go by the way of the shaking because they were honeycombed with error or were used with ulterior motives. There ARE people who "hold the truth in unrighteousness." They, and their teachings, as well as those who gave them heed, will perish in the shaking.
We must get into a higher realm of relationship to Jesus if we are to enjoy many of the things which were purchased for us on Calvary.
TRUTH, as Jesus referred to it, is inseparably linked with GRACE.
It is also linked solidly with the Spirit of God.
Folks today who refer to the Bible as the "letter" are not using the term correctly, for Jesus said, in
Jesus defined truth this way:
Doctrines from the Bible may be true, but they do not qualify to be called "Truth" in the sense that it is used in the Bible.
Jesus defined the Spirit of Truth as being Himself.
Jesus is more than a doctrine or a compilation of doctrines. Paul contrasts Truth with unrighteousness:
He also contrasts Truth with iniquity:
Deuteronomy, chapter 32, verses 1-44 is a very important chapter in the Old Testament. It is called the song of Moses, but it records God the Father speaking through Moses. I will read only the first four verses, which specifically relate to this message. However, I strongly suggest that every Christian who has access to the internet to google Song of Moses Shepherds Chapel. A minister by the name of Arnold Murray has a two-part message on Deuteronomy, chapter 32.
"All His ways are judgment." Perhaps when most of us professing Christians read or hear the word "judgment" in scripture, we do not receive the true meaning of the word. Think of a modern-day trial in a courtroom before a judge. Two parties are involved ... a prosecutor and a defendant. The "winner of the trial" gets the reward. In our case, the prosecutor is the devil who accuses the brethren and we Christians are the defendant. Guess who wins the trial and receives the reward.
Deuteronomy 32 is so important that the Lord put a reference to it in Revelation, chapter 15, in the New Testament.
Who are those who had gotten the victory over the beast, over his image, over his mark, and over the number of his name? the overcomers over all of time. If any professing Christian wants to know how to become an overcomer, read Revelation 15:2-4 and Deuteronomy 32:1-44. And please listen to the message on Song of Moses Shepherds Chapel.
Truth, then, consists of a manner of life or characteristics of our lives. We live Truth, or we live unrighteousness. We live Truth, or we live iniquity. Our lives or lifestyles are spoken of as being our "song" in Revelation 14:3-5.
Living for, and satisfying the desires of our flesh constitutes changing Truth into a lie. Right living is the essence of Truth. We live in Truth. We worship in Truth.
What is the bottom line? From
What do we have to "do" for the Son to make us free indeed? Nothing that we cannot do. Just say "Yes, Lord" to His every word to us ... the voluntary, unquestioning obedience to the rhema word of the Lord through the Holy Spirit. That is true worship.
Let us determine in our hearts to press on to know the Lord.
The former rain is when we were born again. The latter rain is when we offer ourself to Him as a burnt offering ... commit ourself completely, without any reservation to the King of kings and Lord of Lords.
None of us are worthy. Only the Lamb of God is worthy to open the seals of the book. In the final analysis, it is all about the Lord Jesus.
Genesis 11:1-9,1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
They journeyed from the east. How did they get to the east (of Eden) in the first place? through Cain, whose posterity are called Kenites. There are hundreds of millions of Kenites today. Some of them are even in our churches. (Matthew 13:25-40)
Genesis 4:16, "And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden."
Nod is the Hebrew root of the verb "to wander," or "vagrancy," specifically vagrancy from the Lord. There have been, ever since Cain, two kingdoms in the earth today. They are truth vs. error; light vs. darkness; love vs. hate; God vs. Satan, Babylon vs the Kingdom of God, etc.
Returning to Genesis 11, verse 2.
2 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
Substitutes! and a lack of patience, because the normal way to make brick was to let the sun dry the bricks. My, how we all need more patience.
Genesis 11, verse 3.
3 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
In Christendom, the modern-day version of a tower speaks of the pointed spires of church structures. Note in verses 2 and 3 the three occurrences of "let us," in contrast to "let God," such as
Psalm 68:1, "Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered" andRomans 3:4, "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."
With respect to "let us make us a name," we have assigned names to businesses, boats, streets, airplanes, houses, lands, cars, churches, and children after our self, in an effort to perpetuate our name. I have said many times that whenever a church takes a name, that is the first step down a slippery slope to missing what the Lord has for us.
First Corinthians, of course, is primarily a letter of correction that Paul wrote, concerning a variety of errors (at least seven) that had crept into that church. It is worth reflecting that the members of The Church at Corinth calling themselves by different names is the FIRST error addressed by Paul. He addresses this problem even before the (rampant) fornication, which he first mentions in Chapter 5. Why the order? Perhaps because "he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body" (Chapter 6:18), but the naming process had affected EVERY believer (Chapter 1:12).
After the fall, as a result of losing his God-given dominion, man also lost his authority to give out names. Of course, man has continued to exercise the function of giving names, even though he no longer has that authority. This is an external outworking of the rebellion of man. For example, in Genesis 4:16-17, "And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, ... and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch."
Psalm 49:10-13, "For He seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah."
So the dominion (and the right to "name") originally given to Adam, but lost in the fall, now belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ as a result of the redemption purchased at the cross of Calvary.
Philippians 2:8-11, "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father".
Any believer walks in a very precarious position when he begins to make a "name" for himself. It is very easy to make a name for yourself, but it requires some compromises along the way. Anyone who has an apparent gift that appeals to the senses (such as healing or miracles) or a reasonable message of "truth" (or even a word that sounds pleasant to the ears) can relatively quickly establish audiences in numerous places. Before long, you can become a speaker at the large conferences and make yourself nationally known. There are currently, in the United States, perhaps hundreds, of such "names" that will one day be humbled by God in the sight of man. Some already have been. Many of these "names" will surprise you.
Even if man begins to acquire a "name," but not through his own efforts, there is still potential peril, albeit of a different variety. Such a person is subjected to significant attacks by the enemy. There is no better example than Jesus Himself. Not only did Jesus not make a name for Himself, He MADE Himself of NO reputation (Philippians 2:7). Jesus never sought the applause of men.
The "best" name for any believer may be summed up by Revelation 2:17,
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."
The overcomer (not just anyone who has accepted the saving grace of our Lord) is promised a new name ... the believer's new name.
But even better than that is the name of Jesus ... name above ALL names! the name to which every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Now if your church group gets rid of your "name", will that solve all of your church problems? Not at all! If you have come away with that impression then you have missed what we have tried to say about names. To mechanically implement any change will, by itself, accomplish very little. Leaders somehow need to convey the spirit of what we have just described about names, not the letter.
But even better than that is the name of Jesus ... name above ALL names! the name to which every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Now if your church group gets rid of your "name", will that solve all of your church problems? Not at all! If you have come away with that impression then you have missed what we have tried to say about names. To mechanically implement any change will, by itself, accomplish very little. Leaders somehow need to convey the spirit of what we have just described about names, not the letter.
Genesis 11, verses 4-9," And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth."
Two more sets of verses which contain the word "language," which in the natural realm means the principal method of human communication, but in the spiritual realm speaks of the pure language that the Lord is in the process of bringing about in His chosen vessels.
There will come a time when God's people will all "speak the same thing" as it were, for we read in
Zephaniah 3:8-9, "Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent."
Those verses have not yet been fulfilled. "The people," of course, refers to the Lord's chosen people. Think of it - a pure language. I doubt that the pure language will be English or Spanish or any other natural language. It will be the language of the Spirit ... we will all be praising and worshipping the Father for an eternity.
Zechariah 14:21, "Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts."
The last part of that verse ... "in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts," tells us that until the Lord returns, our churches will always have impostors, including false teachers.
Now let us consider what is Truth, followed by how we come to the knowledge of the Truth. What is the relationship between a pure language and the truth? basically, the pure language speaks only about the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Ephesians 4:11-14, "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ."
What is truth? Pilate asked this question in response to a statement Jesus had made to him.
John 18:37-38, "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in Him no fault at all."
That same question has been asked multitudes of times since Pilate asked it. Pilate looked Truth straight in the eye and asked, "What is truth?" No one is able to give an answer that will satisfy every person or group of believers. It means one thing to some, another thing to others. What is hidden from our view when we think of truth? it was NOT referring to modes of baptism nor the basic plan of Salvation. I could safely rule out the various prophetic interpretations and teachings that have become threadbare with age and misuse. What was Jesus referring to when He used the word "truth"?
Was Jesus talking about the same thing that Paul was referring to when he wrote, in 2 Timothy 3:7, "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Paul used the "epi" word here for "knowledge" (epignosis - knowledge above knowledge).
Does it take a special "knowledge upon knowledge" to learn the Truth that Jesus was referring to? There are so many places in the New Testament where "epignosis" is used that it might seem to indicate that we cannot find real truth when we operate only in the natural wisdom and abilities which we have.
Almost everyone who has a doctrine to promote, puts great emphasis on "the truth" when they expound what they think the scriptures are saying. Certainly, every church would say they believe the Bible is the word of God. Of course, what they mean is that their interpretation of the word of God is true.
God does not, necessarily, endorse one person's special doctrine over the other. As a matter of fact, Jesus was NOT referring to doctrinal beliefs when He used the word "TRUTH." Not at all! TRUTH, as Jesus used the word in many places, is referring to what is real, and enduring, as opposed to that which is unreal and temporary. I do not believe that when time is no more we will have Bible studies in heaven.
God has promised to shake mightily the earth. When the shaking is finished, one kingdom will remain. Do you know which one?
Many so-called "doctrines of truth" will also go by the way of the shaking because they were honeycombed with error or were used with ulterior motives. There ARE people who "hold the truth in unrighteousness." They, and their teachings, as well as those who gave them heed, will perish in the shaking.
We must get into a higher realm of relationship to Jesus if we are to enjoy many of the things which were purchased for us on Calvary.
Ephesians 1:16-21, "Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge [epignosis - knowledge upon knowledge] of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:"
TRUTH, as Jesus referred to it, is inseparably linked with GRACE.
John 1:14, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
It is also linked solidly with the Spirit of God.
John 4:23-24, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in SPIRIT and in TRUTH: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in SPIRIT and in TRUTH."
We can and must worship Him in SPIRIT and in TRUTH.
TRUTH goes far beyond mere doctrinal beliefs and practices. The secret of understanding TRUTH lies in the fact that it has been contrasted to, of all things, the LAW of Moses.
That LAW had no LIFE in it. It was only a model of something which would be real. The LAW had no mercy, no GRACE in it. Only stern rules and regulations and lifeless ceremonies.
GRACE came in JESUS CHRIST. TRUTH came in the Person of JESUS CHRIST. TRUTH is a relationship to God through JESUS CHRIST. It is the reality of JESUS in our lives.
The one who speaks God's Word and the testimony of Jesus is hated and persecuted. Why? because the word of the Lord is holy, pure, and righteous, while man, on the other hand, is unholy, impure and hypocritical. Man comes in touch with an element which affects his life like a fire, and he must either permit this purging fire to burn off from himself things inconsistent with a Holy God; himself becoming a part of the purifying fire, or else he will rise in bitterness against it, trying to quench his agony and anger on the instrument through whom he has heard the voice of God.
On the other hand, one speaking about God's Word can be elevated and honored of men, because he places himself as a guardian angel between God and the people in order that the Word of God might not reach and disturb them. In order to prevent this, he places himself as an interpreter of the Word, just as if God had chosen him, to explain what God means, as if God Himself were unable to make his meanings clear, but depended upon an interpreter to be correctly understood. In so doing, he is preventing them from entering into His Kingdom with his watered down messages.
In our day, truth has come to mean whatever portion of Scripture we have chosen to rally around and proclaim. But the term "truth" has always meant more than an interpretation of Scripture.
TRUTH goes far beyond mere doctrinal beliefs and practices. The secret of understanding TRUTH lies in the fact that it has been contrasted to, of all things, the LAW of Moses.
That LAW had no LIFE in it. It was only a model of something which would be real. The LAW had no mercy, no GRACE in it. Only stern rules and regulations and lifeless ceremonies.
GRACE came in JESUS CHRIST. TRUTH came in the Person of JESUS CHRIST. TRUTH is a relationship to God through JESUS CHRIST. It is the reality of JESUS in our lives.
The one who speaks God's Word and the testimony of Jesus is hated and persecuted. Why? because the word of the Lord is holy, pure, and righteous, while man, on the other hand, is unholy, impure and hypocritical. Man comes in touch with an element which affects his life like a fire, and he must either permit this purging fire to burn off from himself things inconsistent with a Holy God; himself becoming a part of the purifying fire, or else he will rise in bitterness against it, trying to quench his agony and anger on the instrument through whom he has heard the voice of God.
On the other hand, one speaking about God's Word can be elevated and honored of men, because he places himself as a guardian angel between God and the people in order that the Word of God might not reach and disturb them. In order to prevent this, he places himself as an interpreter of the Word, just as if God had chosen him, to explain what God means, as if God Himself were unable to make his meanings clear, but depended upon an interpreter to be correctly understood. In so doing, he is preventing them from entering into His Kingdom with his watered down messages.
In our day, truth has come to mean whatever portion of Scripture we have chosen to rally around and proclaim. But the term "truth" has always meant more than an interpretation of Scripture.
John wrote, in John 1:17, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
Here, Truth is contrasted to the Law of Moses. Paul drew the same contrast between the Spirit and the law of Moses, which he called the "letter."
Romans 2:29, "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."Romans 7:6, "But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."
Folks today who refer to the Bible as the "letter" are not using the term correctly, for Jesus said, in
John 6:63, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
Jesus defined truth this way:
John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh to the Father but by me."
Doctrines from the Bible may be true, but they do not qualify to be called "Truth" in the sense that it is used in the Bible.
Jesus defined the Spirit of Truth as being Himself.
John 14:17, "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."John 15:26, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me:"
Jesus is more than a doctrine or a compilation of doctrines. Paul contrasts Truth with unrighteousness:
Romans 2:8, "But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,"
He also contrasts Truth with iniquity:
1 Corinthians 13:6, "Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;"
Deuteronomy, chapter 32, verses 1-44 is a very important chapter in the Old Testament. It is called the song of Moses, but it records God the Father speaking through Moses. I will read only the first four verses, which specifically relate to this message. However, I strongly suggest that every Christian who has access to the internet to google Song of Moses Shepherds Chapel. A minister by the name of Arnold Murray has a two-part message on Deuteronomy, chapter 32.
Deuteronomy 32:1-4, "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He."
"All His ways are judgment." Perhaps when most of us professing Christians read or hear the word "judgment" in scripture, we do not receive the true meaning of the word. Think of a modern-day trial in a courtroom before a judge. Two parties are involved ... a prosecutor and a defendant. The "winner of the trial" gets the reward. In our case, the prosecutor is the devil who accuses the brethren and we Christians are the defendant. Guess who wins the trial and receives the reward.
Deuteronomy 32 is so important that the Lord put a reference to it in Revelation, chapter 15, in the New Testament.
Revelation 15:2-4, "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest."
Who are those who had gotten the victory over the beast, over his image, over his mark, and over the number of his name? the overcomers over all of time. If any professing Christian wants to know how to become an overcomer, read Revelation 15:2-4 and Deuteronomy 32:1-44. And please listen to the message on Song of Moses Shepherds Chapel.
Truth, then, consists of a manner of life or characteristics of our lives. We live Truth, or we live unrighteousness. We live Truth, or we live iniquity. Our lives or lifestyles are spoken of as being our "song" in Revelation 14:3-5.
"And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the fistfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."
Living for, and satisfying the desires of our flesh constitutes changing Truth into a lie. Right living is the essence of Truth. We live in Truth. We worship in Truth.
What is the bottom line? From
John 8:31-32, "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
We were set free at Calvary if we have been born again. Set free for what purpose? Certainly not so we can continue to do our own thing. That simply enters us into the race. We were set free at Calvary so that the Lord can make us free indeed.
John 8:34-36, "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
What do we have to "do" for the Son to make us free indeed? Nothing that we cannot do. Just say "Yes, Lord" to His every word to us ... the voluntary, unquestioning obedience to the rhema word of the Lord through the Holy Spirit. That is true worship.
Let us determine in our hearts to press on to know the Lord.
Hosea 6:1-3, "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."
The former rain is when we were born again. The latter rain is when we offer ourself to Him as a burnt offering ... commit ourself completely, without any reservation to the King of kings and Lord of Lords.
None of us are worthy. Only the Lamb of God is worthy to open the seals of the book. In the final analysis, it is all about the Lord Jesus.
Revelation 4:10-11, "The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
Lord, create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. Lord, we desire that pure language that you have in store for us. Amen and amen.
