Truth matters. When I make a promise and keep it, I gain a reputation as a truth teller. When I say I will tell the truth in court and then lie, I can go to jail.
Truth matters.
Almost always, we really want to know the truth, although some may not want us to know it. The woman with cancer wants her doctor to tell the truth to her, not just to her husband. Mom wants to know the truth about how Junior is doing in school, hence the basic skill tests. I want the truth about the weather, as near as possible to discern it. Don’t tell me it’s going to sunshine if it’s going to rain, even if I was hoping for sunshine—you will mess me up! Tell me the truth!
Or I won’t believe you next time.
That’s what it is about: believability. We want to know whom we can trust. If I don’t have cancer, I want a truth-telling lab report. If my child is excelling in math, I want an unbiased teacher marking his grade card. If it’s going to be sunny for my parade, I want truth in weather.
If there is a way to get some lasting peace, really, I need to know.
I need to know as much as possible about it.
If the Bible is truth, I need to know as much as possible about it. After all, it claims to reflect the character of Jesus, right? If Jesus was a liar, or some kind of lunatic, I need to know because He made some HUGE claims.
Okay, here goes.
The Bible claims to be perfect. “And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.” (Psalm 12:6) “The Law of the Lord is perfect” (Psalm 19:7) “Every word of God is flawless” (Proverbs 30:5)
These claims of perfection are absolute statements: absolutely flawless, purified, or perfect. It does not say “mostly perfect” or “nearly perfect.” The Bible argues for complete perfection, no room inside the Bible for partial accuracy theories.
The Bible stands or falls as a whole. If your favorite newspaper were routinely discovered to contain errors or lies, you would quickly discredit it. You would not put up with a statement such as, “A few errors appear on page three,” or, “All errors will be corrected the following week.” No, for a paper to be reliable in ANY of its parts, it must be factual in ALL of its parts.
Likewise, if the Bible is inaccurate when it speaks of geology, why should we trust it when it speaks of theology?
If the Bible is wrong about separation from God, then who’s to say it is right about salvation—or about anything?
If the Bible cannot get the details right about creation, then maybe the details about salvation are not trustworthy, either.
If the story of Jonah is a myth, then perhaps so are the stories about Jesus.
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Home's Cool! 
You are absolutely right, TRUTH is all important. Love this post.
THANK YOU, Bats, for this validation! I was so unsure and trembling about posting it, wondering if I could make myself understandable. You have made my day! Thanks for your kindness and for bothering! 🙂
You write well because you think clearly. No sidetracks, no muddied arguments. I like this a lot.
Oh, Maria! If only I wasn’t quoting half a dozen folks, I’d be laughing with glee! 😀
However, I am smiling smugly at being so clever to find out these great ideas, plus the ones to come in the next few days. 😉
Thanks so much for your kind comments and for stopping by to read me. THANKS so much!
Quoting? This reminds me of the Lord saying that a good scribe of the Kingdom brings out things both old and new.
You’re very welcome. Your style is good.
That would be Matthew 13:52. And the Old things would be the Old Testament, in those days, and He, Himself, would be the new thing. But for me, most of my research came from oldies-but-goodies. There was one who never had a chance to be old, though, who left this life still quite new: Oswald Chambers.
I didn’t know that he died young, but always associated him with the image of a little white-haired old man.
Died at age 43 of complications following appendectomy. A rivetingly handsome Scot, musician and painter, he was not famous during his lifetime. His wife published most of his works. She was a stenographer and kept records of all his teachings. One of his humorous quotes: “Have we ever got into the way of letting God work, or are we so amazingly important that we really wonder in our nerves and ways what the Almighty does before we are up in the morning!”
Thanks, Katharine! Ps. 139, He lived all the days written for him in God’s book. It’s great to have a sense of humor–also of God’s making!
You are welcome. Yes, Chambers saw clearly, rose quickly, worked tirelessly and fearlessly, left a mirculous trail of blessings, and was gone. Reminds me of Jim Elliott, in some ways, especially in choice of wives.
Great post! Tell it!
Can’t wait to read the rest…
Thanks, Amy! I cannot wait to write the rest! Let me know if you think of anything I miss in the coming days, okay? 🙂
Well Said Kathy—already waiting for tomorrow’s post. I love your writing (content and style).
And I love yours, Kate, on both counts. 🙂
When I think of TRUTH, two verses pop into my mind instantly. John 8;32 “Ye shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH shall make you free.” Knowing truth does set us free. The Bible does not lie!!! If we have sinned and the Word tells us so. When we admit it, confess it, and turn from our sin. We are then free.
Galatians 4:16 “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the TRUTH?” Sometimes others try to help us, whether it be famiy or friends. SOMETIMES we don’t like it, but remember it is the truth that is being told. Do these precious ones become our enemies because we’ve been honest with them? Often times they do but sometimes not.
I look forward to the rest of this series on HOW RELIABE IS THE BIBLE?
Hey, Karen! I was hoping you’d be able to join in here!
I’m so glad you pointed out John 8:32!
I love the way it begins in verse 31, with a big IF: To the Jews who already believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
Oh, how patient Jesus is with those He teaches!(More patient than I am sure I would be.)
These people already believed in Him. Yet they still had learning to do, continuing in His word to do, before they could become REAL disciples. Only then would they know the truth and be free.
It was important to Jesus to make this distinction, so they would continue, so they could be free. He knew these new converts would feel SO LIBERATED. And He knew His infinity would require their always continuing, always growing ever freer. He was and is willing to wait for new ones to catch on. How great is His love!
And yes, many did leave Him that day, when He opened the truth to them, as we can read later in chapter 8. In fact, it almost seems He taught a hard Word that day, just to show who would trust and linger for more insight and who would lean on their own understanding and reject Him.
They could not grasp it and therefore left. But it did not change the truth.
As a teacher and counselor, I hope to have such patience, (although sometimes I lose it!) and to wait for those who are confused, to help them with kindness. Oh, to be as patient as He was! And as truthful!
Thanks for taking from your time to bless us with this–your comments have added a welcome facet to this post! 🙂
Great post! I completely agree with what you are saying. It’s a huge snowball for a nonbeliever. Sometimes, they do believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins, but they can’t let go of the theory of evolution. So they twist the words of the Bible, say maybe God left some details out, because it’s too hard for them to say “no” to the scientific community’s theories when they contradict the Bible.
But I am rambling. I HAVE been reading, but haven’t had much to say.
My Dear Victoria! You’ve said plenty at your own site to keep me smiling (and bragging) for DAYS! 😀 Thanks for stopping by and for this comment. We must never forget that the devil even believes that Jesus died for sins, but he fights against it, thinking someday he can get somewhere. So many join him in this futile fight! There IS a LOT of peer pressure to ditch God and His Word, you are right. And it is hard, these days, for the new ones. Sighs.
Absollutely agree with you, great post!
Oh, thanks, so much, for these encouraging words, Rois! You are so kind! 🙂
Great topic Congratulation my friend you deserve to have this
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Wow, Jake! Thanks! Cannot wait to apply myself to these updates. Cannot wait to see the beauty of them shining on my site! You are too kind! 🙂
Oh, I’m in trouble!!! Not you Katherine. I can’t wait until tomorrow to find out there is truth somewhere in this world! melis
T’will soon be tomorrow, Dear Melis!;-)
Keep laying out the truth, my friend. I am giving you the 7×7 blog award. love you—kate http://believeanyway.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/linking-and-surprised/
KATE! More blessings than I know how to receive! Thank you, Friend, and pray I can properly handle all the opportunities people have bestowed upon me! 🙂
Great writing. I enjoyed your perspective. Looking for part 2. What was your inspiration?
Thanks for stopping by, Paige, and welcome to Home’s Cool!
My inspiration? Sunday’s sermon. 🙂
However, I have often heard such teaching and longed to share it more. Glad you liked it.
Will post as soon as I can get the “tag” section to open, or else I will just type in some tags and get on with it. 😐
Reblogged this on Home's Cool! and commented:
This week we cover another very popular spot from the past. See if you don’t like this as much as these folks did.
EXCELLENT, KATHERINE! I have been so blessed and look forward to more of what the Holy Spirit has to teach us through you!
-Liz
Thanks so much, Liz!
There also is a blessing in the teaching, which I covet! I am so glad you were able to receive this. Hope you were able to find part 2 🙂