Thursday, February 26, 2004
BIBLICAL, PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF “THE TRUTH”
In my last 2 Posts I talked about the tension between speaking soothing words and telling the truth. That is not always an easy thing accomplish. So how do we do it? What is the answer? Well, I don’t have it all figured out. When I don’t have the answer myself or am trying to determine an answer, I look to Scripture.
As I pointed out a couple of Posts ago, Christ says, “Let’s be honest about who you are and what you have done.” That truth, standing by itself, is destructive. But standing along side the Cross of Christ, there is no truth that need destroy you. Rather, that very ugly truth about you—because of the Cross of Christ--can heal you.
So how does that work? Here’s an example from Scripture that helped me comprehend this concept:
On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter preached the first Gospel sermon. In that sermon he tells the truth about the people listening to him: “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” (Acts 2:22-23)
Peter went on to say: “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Verse 36)
Now the truth hurt. Verse 37 of the same chapter says, “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’”
In response Peter and the other apostles spoke healing words in verses 38-40 and told them what to do: “…repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
And 3,000 of them did what they were told and were “healed” from their hurt.
So the truth about each of us is spoken in the Bible. “All have sinned…”. But Christ’s sacrifice heals us when we accept Him and His sacrifice for our sins.
I’m awfully sleepy right now. Maybe none of this makes any sense. I just don’t know. More later.
Jim
posted by jim 4:25 PM 0 comments
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