OceanSide church of Christ
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Characteristics of Truth
Truth has certain characteristics by which it can be identified. Many skeptics of truth deny there is a “truth.” Others say that we can know for sure. However, consider what the Bible says about itself concerning truth:
1. Truth is absolute. 2 John 1:9 “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”
2. Truth is knowable. Ephesians 5:17 “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” John 8:30 “As he spake these words, many believed on him.”
3. Truth is do-able. Acts 6:7 “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Hebrews 10:36 “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
4. Truth is synonymous with the word… John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.”
5. Biblical truth is inspired. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
6. Truth is beautiful because it produces a beautiful life. 1 Peter 3:10-12 “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: (11) Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. (12) For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
7. Truth illuminates. Psalms 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Hebrews 10:32 “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;”
8. Truth is militant. Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
9. Truth is objective, not subjective. It came down from above. 1 Peter 1:12 “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”
10. Truth is final. Jude 1:3 “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.”
Truth and error is not the same thing. Error will never turn into truth no matter how many years pass. Though error is practiced by many, it does not become truth by majority rule. Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” (Matthew 7:13). Error will die with its worshippers, while truth will yield is desired fruit, the salvation of mankind. Let us heed every word of it.
~Wayne Rodgers