TRUTH: what the world needs - Week 3 (Monday Morning Devotions)
As we welcome in a new year, let us focus on God’s Word and HIS TRUTH, dedicating this year to the Lord.
What the world needs now - is not love, in my humble opinion, but Truth. Truth with a capital 'T'. Yes, what the world needs now is Truth.
Need to start at week 1? Find it here.
Who do we believe today? There are so many conflicting points of view and slanted 'facts' and distorted news stories. World views and the various perspectives of people have been in conflict since the fall of mankind for the lies of Satan.
But, I have good news for you today. There is One whom you can trust and who only speaks the truth: Jesus. The spiritual leaders of his day were not following the words of God, but rather they had been hoodwinked into falling for the lies of the father of lies.
First, we turn to the Gospel of John, chapter eight, and pick up on Jesus' exchange with his fellow tribal countrymen who believed in Him:
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [John 8:31–32 (ESV)]
Later Jesus speaks to his fellow tribal countrymen who do not believe in Him. Jesus said:
“You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” [John 8:41–47 (ESV)]
Jesus prayed for us - his followers - with these words to His heavenly Father:
"I am coming to you now . . . I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.