GodReflection: Power Words

Last month I reflected on the fact that Truth is He not What.

Few words cross my path more than truth. I ask your indulgence to allow me an additional reflection on truth as a word of power.

As I grew up truth came my way from another’s perspective of Biblical teaching. I’ve discovered some of my acquired truth is not true at all.

That’s ok. I’ve learned more truth than non-truth from family, teachers, and colleagues. We are all imperfect imitations striving to be a more accurate reflection of Jesus.

It is impossible to teach all truth since my nature is finite and human. That is a work of the Holy Spirit.

My stated reason when I began this blog in August 2012 was to prepare for my departure from earth by being better acquainted with God. As the NPR Car Talk guys say, I am in the third half of my life.

My greatest take away from the past 20 months is the following (dare I say) truth: There is no power in truth that does not flow from Jesus.

Truth comes to me from three avenues.

First—and primary—I find truth through my own encounter with Scripture. It is in Scripture I find Jesus. The Old Testament books from Genesis to Malachi point to him. The Gospels give him flesh. The Acts of the Apostles through the Book of Revelation shows him at work as church and message and points to his return. Scripture filters truth through Jesus.

Second, I find truth through the teaching of others. Here I must always proceed with caution. Some years ago, I would include the tag in the footer of my email, “If you are a student, then everyone is a teacher.”

Others have huge insight into truth. They have learned from- Scripture and from Jesus by navigating roads I have yet to walk. I want to know what they found through their encounter with Jesus in the trenches of life.

It is my responsibility to ponder and examine what I hear through the truth filter of Jesus.

Finally, I discover truth through my walk with the Holy Spirit. I need a bit of lenience on this one.

No, the Holy Spirit hasn’t spoken audibly to me. Pardon the pun but in the spirit of 1 John 4, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, I go through the day listening for a holy nudge from the Spirit. My intent is to react by giving the proverbial cup of cold water in each new situation.

I may encounter a situation when after poking around, pondering, and prayer, I determine it not to be of the Spirit.

I think of the selection of Matthias to replace the apostle Judas. The correct answer came through prayer and a practice of casting lots.

I do not believe there was a verbal command for every action in the infant church as it moved from Jerusalem to the far-flung corners of the world. Based on truth as embodied in Jesus the church moved forward in truth and in tune with the Holy Spirit.

The take away is this: Truth can always provide power when it flows from Jesus.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on Truth as Power.

Gary@GodReflection.org