The Truth From Scripture

WHAT DOES GOD'S WORD SAY?

To the Jews who had 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.” (John 8:31,32)

The Truth from Scripture is the first in an 8-part series stemming from the previously written article Welcome Home. In Welcome Home we discussed the importance of finding a good church home and what makes up a good church home. In this article we will discuss the most important ingredient in a church home – that being the truth of what God teaches us in His Word.

How do we know that what is being taught in the church we are visiting is the truth? For someone who has no religious upbringing and no background or foundation from God’s Word to build on, it can be difficult to find a Church Home where you know the truth from Scripture is being taught.

Of course the best source for the truth is God’s Word itself. Open up your Bible and read it. As you read Scripture, there may be some things you don’t understand, but what you need to know for your eternal salvation, God makes very clear. You will be blessed as you read because it is through the Word that the Holy Spirit ignites faith in our hearts.

The one basic and most important truth we need to know for our eternal salvation is that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone.

Salvation is a free gift offered to us by God’s never ending grace (undeserved love) and faith in His one and only Son Jesus Christ. The gospel of John tells us in chapter 3:16; For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life, and The Apostle Paul tells us also in Ephesians 2:8; For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. If the church you are visiting teaches that you have to do something for God in order to be saved, it is not teaching the truth.

Some religions believe and teach that Jesus is not God, but that he was just a prophet and a great teacher. Jesus tells us in John 12:44,45; When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. Always remember that the true God, the Creator of our universe is the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is one God in three separate persons. Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. This truth we know from scripture and although our human reason cannot fathom how God can be one, but also three, we believe it by faith because God reveals it to us in His Word. He refers to Himself (The Trinity) with the plural “Us” and “Our” many times in Scripture.

God tells us in His word also that there will be false teachers among us. The Apostle Paul warns in 2Corinthians 11:14; Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light and in verse 15; his (Satan’s) servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. As an angel Satan has a certain amount of power. He is sly and sneaky and knows how to mislead people by making himself look good and inviting. It is difficult sometimes to recognize false teachers, but Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 7:16; By their fruit you will recognize them. The thing to ask yourself regarding those who teach the word is this - Is what they are teaching in line with Scripture and do their lives and speech glorify God? If a person truly loves God it will show in his life and actions.

So the basic things to remember are:

• Be careful not to follow false teachers. Read and study your Bible so that you know what God says.
• Remember that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone and not by anything we can do on our own.
• The Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the only true God.
• Ask yourself whether or not the teachings of the church you are attending glorify God, and do the lives of the Pastor and church members honor God and reflect His love.

It is my hope that through prayer and study of God’s Word, He will lead you to a church home where His truth is taught, and where you will be able to praise Him and worship Him with no reservations, and in a setting where He is honored above all things.

 By Kristeen

To God be the Glory!