Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith and how we might grow. Ricky had brought our breakfast orders, Stan asked for the Lord’s blessing over the food and our time together, and we were enjoying the delicious food. Between bites of his blueberry pancakes, Stan asked me, “You ever think much about how truth is optional to the world, but it’s to be the exact opposite for Christians?”
“Exact opposite?”
“Yeah,” Stan said. “For Christians the truth is not to be optional; what we say is to be truth. We are not only to speak the truth to others, we are to tell them about the Truth.”
“Tell them about the truth? You mean the part where Jesus called Himself that and we’re to tell others about Him?”
“Exactly,” Stan said, “But we’re also to speak truth about everything. While the world is guided by the father of lies, we are to be guided by the Father of Truth.”
“The Father of Truth?”
“Yeah,” Stan replied, “If God is the Father of Jesus, and Jesus is the truth, doesn’t that make God the Father of truth?”
“I suppose so,” I responded.
“Good supposition,” Stan said with a smile. “Also remember that the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth who is in us to reveal the truth.”
“So,” I replied, “If people describe themselves as ‘Spirit-filled Christians,’ but they don’t always speak the truth or tell others about Jesus as the Truth, it might be worthwhile to check to see if something’s missing?”
“More than ‘might,’ my friend,” Stan said. “I’d say it’s time to check to see who’s in charge, the father of lies or the Father of Truth!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Jesus said to him, ‘”I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father , but through Me.” John 14:6.
Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. John 8:44.
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; . . . . John 16:13.
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t speak the truth as you intend. As well, I don’t speak to others about Jesus as the Truth. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve provided. Help me follow every step of your lead in not only living a life of truth, but in telling others about the Truth and your provision through Him. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in His name. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted the truth of Jesus as the way to life with the Father, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why is that your choice? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with not only living a life of truth, but in telling others about Jesus as the Truth? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to have life with Him through Jesus, but what you need in order to live a life of truth and tell others about Jesus as the truth? Spend time studying God’s world, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?