DO YOU LOVE THE TRUTH?

2 Thes. 2:8-17.

INTRO:

1. This question is asked with all sincerity, because it has to do with our eternal destiny.

2. If we LOVE the truth, we will LIVE.

3. If we love NOT the truth, we will PERISH.

I. FIRST, WE NEED TO DEFINE THE MAIN WORDS OF OUR QUESTION:

A. They word YOU brings to our minds an individual obligation to love the truth. 2 Cor. 5:10.

B. The word LOVE is taken from the Greek word AGAPAO and means more than just an emotional and passionate physical feeling.

1. It refers to a love belonging to the reason, to the mind, to the heart.

2. This type of love is mentioned in 1 Pet. 1:22.

3. It is a love that makes us hunger and thirst after truth. Mt. 5:;6.

4. The word of God is the truth and it is also righteousness. Psa. 119:144; Heb. 5:13; Jno. 17:17; Psa. 119; 172.

5. This type of love reminds us of a story told about a young man that came to Socrates seeking knowledge.

a. This young man came to Socrates, the great man of knowledge, and said, "I want knowledge, I want knowledge." Socrates led the young man down to a pool of water, he took him by the hand and led him out into the water, up to his knees, up to his waist, up to his shoulders, then suddenly Socrates put his hand upon the young man's head and pushed his head down under the water and held it there for quite some time. Finally he let the struggling youth up. The young man came up out of the water sputtering and gasping. Then the wise old man said, "Son, what did you desire most of all while you were under the water?" The young man gasped out quickly, "Air!" At that the old man said, "Son, when you want knowledge as much as you wanted air when you were beneath the water, then you shall have knowledge."

6. Ths is the type of love and desire we should have for the truth.

C. The word TRUTH means the Word of God. Jno. 17:17; 2 Sam. 7:2; Psa. 119:160.

1. It is that which makes us free. Jno. 8:32.

2. It is that by which we will be judged in the last day. Jno. 12:48.

II. SECOND, LET US TRY TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH WE LOVE THE TRUTH. IF WE LOVE THE TRUTH, WE MUST LOVE ALL THAT GOES WITH THE TRUTH.

A. Do we love the truth more than we do our loved ones? Mt. 10:37.

1. Or do we desire to be on good terms with and in the good graces of our loved ones to the extent that we turn aside from the truth?

B. Do we love the truth more than earthly possessions? Mt. 6:19-21,25-34.

1. Are we so desirous of worldly goods that we work all the overtime and Sundays that we possibly can, even to the missing of the Lord's services?

2. And are we covetous to the extent that we rob God of what is rightfully His? Mal. 3:8.

C. Do we love the truth more than worldly pleasures? 1 Jno. 2:15-17; 2 Tim. 3:1-4.

1. Are we enjoying the pleasures and entertainments of this world, such as TV, sports, etc. when we should be attending the services of the church?

2. What about Sunday evening and Wednesday evening?

3. What about the gospel meetings here and in other congregations close by?

D. Do we love the truth more than we do the friendship of the religious denominations about us? Psa. 119: 127,128.

1. Or are we glad when people become members of such, even our own children and relatives?

2. Do we not love the truth enough, and know enough about the truth to know there is no salvation but only damnation in all man-made denominations? Mt. 7:21-23; 15:;13.

3. Do we not love the truth enough to quit pussy-footing around with denominations and with the world about us? 2 Jno. 9-11.

4. We need to expose denominational error for what it is rather than rejoice when a friend or neighbor or loved ones join up with such.

E. Do we love the truth, all of the truth, more than we do our brethren that have no respect for the teaching and the pattern that is laid down thereby? 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 4:1-4.

1. Or are we running back and forth from side to side and have no certain working and serving place? 1 Kgs. 18:21; Jos. 24:14,15.

F. Erring brother, do you love the truth more than your erring ways?

1. If you do, won't you step out and confess your wrongs, repenting of them, praying to God to forgive you?

G. Sinner friend, do you love the truth more than your present way of life?

1. If you do, won't you step out today and render obedience to God's will for you?

2. Hear His Word, Believe it, Repent of every sin, Confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and be buried in Baptism for the remission of your sins.

3. If you love the truth today, you will do this. May God bless your decision.

By Jim Sasser

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