DO YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH?

Jno. 8:31-47; 17:17; 7:17; 14:6; Prov. 14:6.

INTRO:

1. That many do misunderstand the truth, is very evident.

2. That all may misunderstand the truth, is equally evident.

3. That it is dangerous to misunderstand the truth, is clearly seen.

4. That is is a blessing to understand the truth, is without question.

5. That all can understand the truth, is surely taught in the Bible.

6. Do you want to understand the truth?

7. Believing that you do, I want to show you some things necessary to an understanding of the truth.

I. KNOW THE POSSIBILITIES AND DANGERS OF MISUNDERSTANDING THE TRUTH:

A. "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures (the truth)". Jesus said this to the Sadducees in Mt. 22:29.

B. We misunderstand God's righteousness and set about to establish our own many times. Rom. 10:1-3.

C. Many misunderstand the truth and wrest it to their own destruction. 2 Pet. 3:14-18.

D. Misunderstanding causes division. 1 Cor. 1:10-13.

E. Where there is a difference, both may misunderstand and at least one does.

F. We are to try our own selves. 2 Cor. 13:5.

II. KNOW THE POSSIBILITIES AND BLESSINGS OF UNDERSTAND- ING THE TRUTH:

A. Truth is harmonious. If we understand it at all we understand it alike. Amos 3:3; Psa. 133:1-3.

B. The truth is written so that we can understand it. Eph. 3:1-6.

C. We are commanded to understand it. Eph. 5:15-17.

D. It is possible for anyone to understand it. Jno. 7:17.

E. We are saved by truth. Jno. 8:31,32; Jas. 1:21; 1 Cor. 15:1,2.

III. KNOW THE CAUSE OF MISUNDERSTANDING THE TRUTH:

A. Doctors must first diagnose the case before they can treat it thoroughly.

B. Different things may contribute to a misunderstanding of the truth.

• 1. Ignorance. Hos. 4:6.
• 2. Preconceived ideas. 2 Kgs. 5:11.
• 3. Prejudice. 1 Kgs. 22:1-8.
• 4. Lack of study, or study for the wrong purpose. 2 Tim. 2:15.

IV. REMOVE THE HINDERING CAUSE:

A. Your soul is at stake.

B. Test everything by God's Word. Acts 17:11.

C. Keep that which agrees with it and abhor all else. Rom. 12:9

D. Let everything else go, whatever the cost may be. Prov. 23:23.

V. MAINTAIN FAITH IN GOD.

A. Trust not in worldly wisdom. Isa. 55:6-9; 1 Cor. 1:18-25.

B. It is not in man todirect his own steps. Jer. 10:23.

C. Man's way seems right but are actually ways of death. Prov. 14:12.

D. God's way is right. Psa. 18:30; Jno. 14:6.

VI. LONG TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH AND WORK AT THE JOB.

A. Give heed to reading. 1 Tim. 4:13-16.

B. Meditate day and night upon the law of God. Psa. 1:1-6.

C. Study for God's approval. 2 Tim. 2:15.

• 1. Not to justify ourselves in what we think, say or do.
• 2. Not to please men. Gal. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:1-5.
• 3. To know and do the truth. Jno. 8:31,32.
• 4. To be filled with righteousness. Psa. 119:172.
• 5. To love and retain the truth. 2 Thes. 2:8-12.

VII. OBSERVE COMMON RULES OF UNDERSTANDING; SUCH AS;

A. Who is speaking.

B. To whom speaking.

C. Under what dispensation is the speaking.

D. For what purpose is he speaking.

VIII. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN COVENANTS.

A. The New Covenant is better. Heb. 8:6.

B. Obey it for forgiveness of sins. Heb. 8:12.

IX. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN LAWS TO ALIEN SINNERS AND ERR- ING CHRISTIANS.

A. Aliens sins forgiven through: Hearing, Believing, Repenting, Confessing Christ, and being Baptized. Acts 8:4,13.

B. Erring Christian's sins are forgiven through; Repentance, Confessing his sins, and Prayer. Acts 8:13-24; Jas. 5:16.

X. STUDY EVERY SCRIPTURE ON ANY SUBJECT.

A. Satan left out, "to keep thee in all thy ways." Mt. 4:6,7; Psa. 91:11, 12.

B. Some teach faith only saves. Acts 17:30; Rom. 5:1; Gal. 5:6; Jas. 2.

XI. STUDY EACH SCRIPTURE IN LIGHT OF ITS CONTEXT.

A. Must not wrest the scriptures. 2 Pet. 3:14-18.

B. Must not pervert the gospel of Christ. Gal. 1:6-9.

C. You may twist the scriptures so they teach many things.

1. It is said of Judas: "he went out and hanged himself." Mt. 27:5.

2. Jesus said to a lawyer; "Go, and do thou likewise." Lk. 10:37.

3. Jesus said to Judas: "What thou doest do quickly." Jno. 13:27.

a. Should we run these scriptures together so they would read: "he went out and hanged himself, go, and do thou likewise, what thou doest do quickly"?

XII. RESPECT THE SILENCE OF GOD'S WORD.

A. If not, you let down the floodgate through which all manner of invasion may flow. Speak only where the Bible speaks and be silent where it is silent.

B. God does not have tosay: "Thou shalt not" in order to forbid something. For instance:

1. Wood in the ark. Gen. 6:14. Gopher wood excluded all other woods

2. Lord's Supper, Mt. 26:26-29, unleavened bread and fruit of the vine excluded everything else.

3. Music in worship, Eph. 519; Col. 3:16. Singing excluded mechanical instruments of music.

4. Local congregations are to do the work of the church, Phill. 1:1; 2 Cor. 8; Rev. 2 and 3, this excludes all types of institutionalism set up by men.

CONCLUSION:

Brethren, if we truly want to know the truth and understand it, we can. Why not accept the truth and follow its teaching that you might be saved?

By Jim Sasser

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