Mar
14
2019
It Can Be Known
Posted in Bible 4 Comments
I like to listen to podcasts when I walk in the morning.
Some mornings, I need to be quiet.
Some mornings, I am called to pray.
However, listening to something that teaches me as I walk is special indeed.
I was listening to Truth for Life, which is the teaching of Alistair Begg.
Alistair is the pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio.
That was my son’s church when he clerked in federal court and lived in Ohio for a year.
It is also the church where he met his wife.
Alistair is from Scotland.
Besides the strong teaching of Biblical truth, I enjoy his accent.
I have been listening to a sermon series and each day builds on the day before.
This particular day, Alistair began with a story.
This is a fictitious story. A local policeman in London, who was also a Christian, was asked to teach a religious education class. Once he got the children’s attention, he began with an Old Testament question. “Who knocked down the walls of Jericho?” All the children looked back at him with blank stares. No one said anything. One wee boy put up his hand. “My name is Bruce Jones. I don’t know who did it, but I didn’t do it!” The policeman thought his reply was rude and so he reported him to the headmaster. After a pause, the headmaster said, “I know Bruce Jones. He’s an honest boy. If he said he didn’t do it, he didn’t do it!” The policeman was exasperated and thought the headmaster was as rude as Bruce, or perhaps he was totally ignorant. The policeman wrote to the department of education regarding the incident. The policeman received this response: “Dear Sir, we are sorry to hear about the walls of Jericho and that no one admitted causing the damage. If you send an estimate, we will see what we can do about the cost.”
I listened to the story at the beginning of my walk.
I literally laughed out loud.
The story was so absurd to anyone who knew the Biblical reference.
However, that is the problem: so many people do not know.
We have celebrities talking on various issues.
We have politicians speaking on any topic that seems important for their image.
We use social media as a platform for our critiques and opinions.
We have news anchors who offer various skewed views depending on the channel.
Do we have Truth?
Do we know Truth?
Can we debate issues based on Truth?
Can we defend our positions with Truth as our foundation?
The problem of Biblical illiteracy is rampant.
We may know a few Bible stories here and there, but do we understand the overarching Story?
Do we know understand the connective-ness of the Story that God unfolds in His Word?
Do we know Truth?
My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6)
A people without understanding will come to ruin. (Hosea 4:14)
In our current culture, we cannot simply fly by the seat of our pants.
There is Truth and it can be known.
There is Truth and it must be known.
Truth is something we have to study on our own in order to root it deep inside us.
We may laugh at the story of the policeman, but it is really quite sad.
Truth is not something we get by osmosis.
Truth is not something we get by rubbing shoulders with someone who knows it.
Truth is to be sought after, fought for, and treasured.
What is truth?” retorted Pilate. (John 18:38)
The haunting question of the New Testament was asked by Pilate.
Pilate never even waited for an answer.
Pilate’s question was rhetorical.
The answer would have demanded a change in Pilate and he was unwilling to change.
How can we say something is not true, if we do not know Truth?
How can we say something is unfair, if we have no standard on which to base fairness?
How can we say something is right or wrong, if we have no plumbline on which to judge?
How can we speak with certainty unless we have an absolute through which we measure?
Truth cannot be spoon fed to us.
We cannot open our mouths and have someone pour Truth down our throats.
Truth demands chewing.
Truth needs proper digestion.
Just as we are to seek Truth and pursue it (Psalm 34:14) we must teach Truth as well.
If we have children, we are responsible to teach them Truth.
The effect of that Truth on their life is in God’s Hands.
We will be held accountable for the teaching of that Truth.
It is never too late to become Biblically literate.
Ask yourself two questions.
Do I love God today more than I did yesterday?
Do I know God and His Word today more than I did yesterday?
Baby steps are just fine.
Everyone needs a place to begin, but they must begin.
Seek out someone who can help you get started.
Knowing the Truth that is found is God’s Word is of utmost importance.
What is Truth?
Truth is a Person: the Lord Jesus. (John 14:6)
Where can Truth be found?
Truth is found in the Word of God.
Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth. (John 17:17)
Truth can be known.
Open a Bible and begin to read it; today is a good day to start.
Spend time in the Word each day, even minutes at first.
Ask God, through His Spirit to open your eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to His Truth.
I listen to Truth For Life also everyday! Thank you for the reminder to be in the Word also
Paula,
I always learn so much as I listen.
We all need the reminder and the encouragement to stay in God’s Word.
Gina
Thanks for sharing God’s truth with us!
Diane,
You and I know that we need to tell it. I still have the concordance you gave me all those years ago. A special gift from a special friend.
Gina