Topical Bible: Truth: should be Believed

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In the Christian faith, truth holds a central and indispensable role, as it is foundational to the understanding of God, His Word, and His creation. The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of truth and the necessity for believers to adhere to it.

Biblical Foundation of Truth

The concept of truth in the Bible is deeply rooted in the nature and character of God. In the Old Testament, God is depicted as a God of truth. Deuteronomy 32:4 declares, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This verse underscores the perfection and reliability of God's nature, affirming that His truth is unwavering.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is presented as the embodiment of truth. In John 14:6, Jesus states, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This declaration not only identifies Jesus as the source of truth but also as the exclusive path to God, emphasizing the necessity of believing in Him.

Truth in the Teachings of Jesus

Jesus' teachings consistently highlight the importance of truth. In John 8:31-32, He tells His disciples, "If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Here, Jesus links discipleship with adherence to His teachings, suggesting that true freedom is found in knowing and believing the truth.

Furthermore, Jesus' prayer for His followers in John 17:17 underscores the sanctifying power of truth: "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth." This prayer reveals that truth is not only to be believed but also has a transformative effect on the believer, setting them apart for God's purposes.

The Apostolic Emphasis on Truth

The apostles continued to stress the importance of truth in their writings. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, exhorts believers to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15), indicating that truth should be communicated with compassion and integrity. Paul also warns against being swayed by false teachings, urging believers to "stand firm, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist" (Ephesians 6:14), portraying truth as a vital part of the spiritual armor.

The Apostle John, in his epistles, also emphasizes the necessity of truth. In 1 John 3:18, he writes, "Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth." This call to action highlights that truth is not merely an abstract concept but is to be lived out in the believer's life.

Truth and the Believer's Life

For the believer, truth is not optional but essential. It is the foundation upon which faith is built and the lens through which the world is understood. The Bible calls believers to discern truth from falsehood, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, "but test all things. Hold fast to what is good." This directive encourages believers to critically evaluate teachings and hold firmly to what aligns with God's truth.

Moreover, the pursuit of truth is a lifelong endeavor. Proverbs 23:23 advises, "Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction, and insight as well." This proverb suggests that truth is a valuable possession, worth acquiring and retaining at all costs.

Conclusion

In summary, the Bible presents truth as an essential aspect of the Christian faith, rooted in the character of God and embodied in Jesus Christ. Believers are called to know, believe, and live out the truth, allowing it to guide their lives and sanctify them for God's purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Thessalonians 2:12,13
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Timothy 4:3
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Should Reply be Made?
... as given by the Holy Spirit, and believed in by ... to meet Jewish prejudice by correcting
their mistakes, should be kindly ... met by those to whom the truth has given ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/ii should reply be made.htm

How we are to Conform Ourselves to that Divine Will, which is ...
... he has signified and made manifest unto us that it is his will and intention that
all this should be believed, hoped for ... In truth, he that should by main ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii how we are.htm

The Secret of Its Greatness
... of the most learned heathen even believed that in ... wandered already from the greatest,
deepest truth which the ... of evil spirits and cruel gods should have come ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter ii the secret of.htm

Nor Let this Promise Seem to You Contrary to the Natural Structure ...
... to be advanced to all animal body, an animal body in turn should be believed to
be ... Himself, and the conclusions of natural reason, confirm the truth of the ...
/.../47 nor let this promise.htm

Further Proofs of the Same Truth in the Same Chapter, from the ...
... Chapter X."Further Proofs of the Same Truth in the ... Christ whom Isaiah foretold that
a virgin should conceive, [3784 ... it follows that He must be believed to be ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter x further proofs of the.htm

Each Side Claims to Possess the True Gospel Antiquity the ...
... publication; and, in fine, that that should be thought ... it to be decisive of the truth,
[3572] ) that ... than Marcion, that Marcion himself once believed it, when ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter iv each side claims to.htm

Thoughts on a Revelation.
... What is really meant is, that all truth necessary for salvation is contained in ... thereby,
is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an ...
/.../jerram/thoughts on a revelation/thoughts on a revelation.htm

Salvation by Knowing the Truth
... be because you have not gained complete knowledge of the truth. ... say the same to you,
but I should like you ... principle of knowing what is to be believed and in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/salvation by knowing the truth.htm

Rufinus's Epilogue to Pamphilus the Martyr's Apology for Origen
... in the interest of strife and detraction, but in that of a love of truth. ... I cannot
think it an absurd demand that the same thing should be believed in the ...
/.../rufinuss epilogue to pamphilus the.htm

Explanation of the Words of Christ, "No Man Knoweth the Father ...
... fall] upon all who, like others, have seen, but have not, like others, believed. ...
7. For it was fitting that the truth should receive testimony from all, and ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter vi explanation of the words.htm