The Week in Review

“The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth”
Originally preached by Jewel D. Williams

at Faith COG 8/06

(Part III)

Today could be your last day that God’s Spirit will beacon you and then you are on your way to hell because you have refused God’s grace. So you cannot save yourself, you cannot do this in yourself. However, Jesus said I will take the penalty of your sin. You were my enemy, but I’ll pay the cost of shed blood and shed my own.

But it does not end there. That is only part of the truth, and we want the whole truth. (READ 1 Corinthians 15:1-18) Jesus paid the cost, but if he had only died, and not rose again, then our preaching is in vain, our faith would be worthless. But Jesus did rise. He arose to show he had power to overcome death. He overcame the hold of sin on our lives. He overcame every thing the enemy could dish out against you. And when he arose he rose in power. Not only power over death, but power to impart to all those that come behind. So ordinary people can do extraordinary things, because we serve a God who has the ultimate power over everything. When he rose, he rose with victory for all believers, so that you and I can be victorious in our walk.

Paul’s warning is against those that would come and try to change the truth of God’s word to have you following after men’s philosophy. Men today believe that they know more than God and therefore they can interpret the word with out the interpreter, the Holy Spirit.

Look at what the word says about people like that, “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow” – Colossian 2:18-19. In other words, don’t listen to all these people coming with new revelations, new understandings that are contrary to the Bible as if they have been chosen to give a special revelation for today. They are not connected to the head, which is Christ. They will deceive you into being a disconnected body, separated from the head. And a body without a head cannot live or function. So, how does Paul’s warning apply to us today?
We see individuals in our time that have come with new revelations and new ways. Some are not new ways, but have us still today turning from the truth of God’s word regarding Jesus.

We see it in many of the different religions and cults. For example we, meaning Christians have fallen under the belief that we all Muslims, Christians and other religions all worship the same God. We do not. Where we get drawn into their philosophy is when they say they believe in only one God. Some of us may be confused with the Muslim religion for example, because many of their beliefs have things that originally came from the Bible. The historical foundation for the Quaran, for instance contains much from the Old Testament. But that is were the similarities end. The Muslims believe Christ was a good teacher, but they do not believe he is the Son of God nor do they believe he rose from the dead. One belief is that Judas was crucified in Jesus place. Some however believe that Christ was on the cross but he didn’t die. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth is this, Jesus points out that those who do not believe in Him as their savior will not receive everlasting life. “I told you that you would die in your sins, if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins” John 8:24. When the question, who are you, is asked to Jesus, this is the answer, “Jesus Answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. Jehovah’s Witness, now call themselves Christians. Yet, if you study your word you will see that we do not believe the same. The truth of their doctrine has changed each time a new leader has taken the helm of the Watchtower Society. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth of God’s word does not change, it stands true. This is one of the things Paul was warning against being caught in man’s rules of how you should worship God. They believe in a work doctrine instead of salvation as the free gift of Jesus Christ. They believe that if you do enough things you will be able to reach a place of good standing with God. Not so. Let me say this clearly, individuals in other religions and belief systems do not have to be bad people to be led in the wrong direction. If you meet any one from these religions they very well might be loving, caring people, even more so sometimes that those that say they are believers in Christ. So we cannot look at the people’s attitudes for example to determine what is the truth. God’s word has to be the yardstick we use to measure what is right.
Reflection: Do you believe that there is only one way to the Father, or do you believe that there are many paths to God? Come back next week for part IV of the message, The Truth, the Whole Truth and nothing but the Truth.

If you missed part II of this message you can go look under “Week in Review” on April 20, 2008 to read it.