BELIEFS ROOTED IN TRUTH
What do we know and believe deep in our hearts? Are our beliefs rooted in truth? Is there truth that has power to set us free? My own beliefs are rooted firmly in the Holy Bible, because there I read what God shows us from His heart to ours. Yes, it was written by men, but I believe the Holy Spirit directed their thoughts as it says in 2 Peter:
Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
(2 Peter 1:20)
Peter was an eyewitness to the events surrounding Jesus, and I believe he is truthfully sharing what he knows. He was one of the twelve original disciples. Look at what he says just before the scripture quoted above:
For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased!” We ourselves heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
(2 Peter 1:16-19)
In the Bible we find the truth of who Jesus is, how He came to earth to redeem us by His death and resurrection, and how He lives now, interceding for us before the Father.
THE WORD OF GOD IS TRUTH
I believe the Bible is true. It speaks to what is true in reality and is timeless. Yes, there are differences in time periods and cultures, but truth does not change. David Wells, in chapter 3 of his book, The Courage to Be Protestant, has some thoughts about this:
“Scripture…sees itself, and is seen, as the self-disclosure of God that is therefore unlike anything else on earth. It is the truth. What it says corresponds to what happened in the world of which it speaks. It really does reflect what is in the human heart. It is the measure of reality…
This is a voice unlike any other voice. It speaks unlike any other voice, and what it says is unlike anything else heard anywhere else in the world. It speaks across the ages, across the generations, across psychological divides.”
David F. Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant
There are many who don’t accept this and try to find their “own” truth, but truth is not something we can each decide for ourselves. Yes, we can choose what we want to believe, but Truth comes from outside ourselves.
JESUS IS THE TRUTH
Jesus, the Word, is the embodiment of truth. Speaking of Jesus, John says:
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him.
(John 1:14,18)
Later, Jesus said this about Himself:
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
(John 14:6-7)
These are beliefs rooted in truth, the truth of the gospel, and that truth has set me free. I believe this with all my heart. The Bible is available to read in many languages. Maybe it seems like a boring book or just a collection of stories, but it’s so much more. It has been a comfort and a source of peace and hope for me. If you’ve never thought about it or have differing views, I urge you to give the Bible a chance. Maybe you, too, will find hope and peace.
Bible Gateway is a great online resource with many Bible translations and study helps.
As my dear friend Bettie shared with me last night, this song by Rich Mullins, fits perfectly with my thoughts in this post:
Day 6 for #write28days and the prompt is beliefs.
I’m linking up with: #Grace&Truth
Thank you for this beautiful explanation of the truth of God’s Word and our beliefs! I pray that He will send out His Word now and bring hearts home to Him! Bless you my dear sister/poet/friend! ♥️
Thank you, dear Bettie. That is my prayer, too. Blessings love and hugs right back to you my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
Amen! Jesus is the truth. Only in Jesus can we find what we need to live abundantly.
Yes, it really is an abundant life in Jesus, isn’t it? Blessings to you, Anita!
Amen, Gayl, thank you for focusing us on Jesus as the only Truth worth holding onto!
Yes, He really is the only Truth worth holding onto! Blessings to you!
Being freed from spiritual abuse changed that verse for me. Knowing and experiencing Jesus as my Truth and being awed by His setting free daily has changed the Bible for me.
The Bible was used by Satan to condemn and shame me – just as Satan used Scripture to attack Jesus in the desert: but Jesus He overcame him for me!! He came to pick me up out of that thorn bush and now HE is my glorious Truth – not a Bible bashing truth that attacks me and terrifies me but a gentle, tender hearted Savior who loves me like no one else ever could.
And now I know His setting free like never before and oh how thankful to Him I am both for restoring to me the love I had as a little girl for His Word and for giving me the privelege of experiencing the hell of spiritual abuse so that now I know my Jesus like I never could have without that horror.
So glad you have been freed from that spiritual abuse. It has happened to so many – the very thing that is supposed to help gets used as a weapon. So glad He delivered you and has helped you to know how much he loves you! Blessings and love to you! o