“My Truth”
Have you heard someone utter the above two words?
Well, “My Truth” is _________.
THE Truth is often not received well. Man attempts to make all kind of justifications for his poor choices.
A recent conversation with one of my closest friends brought up this issue. I appreciated our talk yesterday. A subsequent series of debates with my wife that happen to coincide with the previous conversation between said friend and I have encouraged me to write out my thinking related to the matter of truth in life.
Most importantly the truth according to God. His thinking is searchable all throughout the Bible.
Generally, in life, when we face an issue, we can find a biblical verse to support said problem.
There can almost always be found at least ONE verse which addresses our issue and how it should be handled.
If there isn’t a verse specifically addressing the problem or concern, we most certainly can find a story which likely will provide an acceptable parallel. If we take the time to study the story, we likely can come to a resolution to the problem with which we are faced.
We might not LIKE what it says, but it is what it is. It’s what God says about it. That ends the debate.
I think of a situation I have recently observed demonstrating the above.
Within a group of folks a discussion was had that revolved around another Christian within the ranks.
The issue at hand was the frustration with said individual, his lack of motivation and/or willingness to work, and the groups constant financial support gathered for him. There was an observable anger directed toward this believer, not present for the discussion around the problems he has been creating.
In their discussion to which I was privy, I shared a story with which I personally had experience related to another believer who behaves quite similarly (identically actually). My hope was, in sharing this story, the group would see the logic in my reasoning and how, if they applied said logic to the scenario, likely would see the same outcome with this individual.
Ultimately, the hope being, a push to encourage this human into a place of self-sufficiency which then promotes a sense of dignity and honor for him and his life.
In this discussion, I noted a gentle agreement with what I had suggested peppered with a slight pinch of dismissiveness. In other words the old “yeah, yeah, yeah…” I have referenced in previous writings. That famous phrase I so often hear when someone isn’t much interested in what I am saying.
After the discussion, I headed home. One of the members emailed me the written “plan” the group had devised for the above referenced believer.
After reading through the plan, I was reminded of God’s word related to such an individual and/or situation.
“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” II Thessalonians 3:6-12
Demonstrating a continued heart for the human, Paul further writes
“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” VS 13-15
So I sent this verse which specifically addresses the problem they face. The response was as I expected. They are going to stick with their plan of action which is not in line with the above scripture.
This is example of literally, quite possibly, hundreds across the span of my life wherein I have shared a verse (or 12) with a human in an effort to exhort them toward walking in line with God’s idea for their best life.
The fellow human has brought to me a situation with which they struggle or are engaged. Yes, I will have my own take on the matter, but if possible, I will always attempt to find scripture which also addresses the problem.
God is the “Author of Knowledge”, so I suspect it’s a good plan to look to him for the answers.
From here, the more we study and learn what he says and try to live within the confines of what he says about a situation, the more at peace we can and will find ourselves.
Further, we can wash our hands of the mess people create whenever they choose to directly ignore what the creator of the Universe tells us we should do in a given situation directly from his word.
It’s that last part there. That’s where I have been really being molded over the past, say, 3 or 4 (very painful for me) years.
I so desperately want people to succeed and find victory.
This is further amplified with regard to those with whom I am closest. My brothers and sister, my mother and father, and even stronger still with my children and my wife.
I have wasted hours, months, likely YEARS of valuable emotional energy fretting over the choices of the above when those choices (as made clear in God’s word) will bring them severe pain and hardship.
In many of the cases I have, in my own life, done similar and KNOW first hand the pain the choices will bring and so strongly wish to steer them away from certain pain.
Yet, almost always, bar only a few instances I get a “yeah but…”.
Now, in this, let me make it clear.
If I am offering my opinion on a matter rooted in experience and/or knowledge learned, it can be stated, I might be wrong. To this, I willingly concede.
HOWEVER and this is the larger, broader matter, when it’s in God’s Word, there’s no debate.
He’s right, always. If we are thinking we know better and believe we don’t need to listen to him, we are wrong, always. This is not a debatable matter. You and me…we don’t have to like it, but he’s right and we’re wrong if there’s a disagreement. Period.
If his word says to NOT do something or to DO something and we in some way convince ourselves he’s wrong on the matter, or we’ll do it on our time or on our terms, it’s not him…it’s us.
When they surround themselves with folks affirming their errancy as you watch, more assuredly wondering inside if you are missing something, you are not, remember this;
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 27:6
So this “My Truth” nonsense is just a new phrase being used to say, “I know best, and I don’t care what you say, what she says, or even what GOD himself says. I want my way and you are NOT going to stop me.
Let me close with this.
Be courageous. Speak the truth of the Bible. Know it well, use it well. When faced with a situation in which you are uncertain search for your answers there.
When faced with a situation that is grieving you and involves someone you love dearly, say, a son, or a daughter, search for the answers there.
You will find them.
I have.
Again, you might not like it because the answer goes against what you want to do.
The messes those who I love so dearly have created or the pain coming down the pike they are sure to experience rooted in their choices which go against HIS word, I can live at peace and wash my hands of.
Will I not care?
Absolutely not.
Can I do anything about it? No way. Look what Jesus himself says in Luke 16:19-31.
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” vs. 31.
In other words, “They didn’t listen to God then, they sure aren’t going to now”.
God’s way is often less than comfortable, less than convenient, but it is the right way.
Don’t fall into the trap believing it’s more important for someone to like you or that they “feel loved” than to speak the truth according to scripture.
Mothers and Fathers often fall into the deceptive trap believing they can’t or shouldn’t enforce boundaries or restrictions on their growing children, particularly these late teen early twenties adults because to do so will alienate them. Their children will cut them off and reject them.
Yes, they might. In fact, often, they probably will. But if you are in line with God’s word, it’s not YOU they are rejecting, it’s God. You then must make a choice as to who you will obey. Your child and their insistence you embrace their immaturity or poor choices, or the Lord. (For the proper example in dealing with such things, please review the Prodigal son story from Jesus in Luke 15. I recommend choosing God’s side and his way, not your way.
In the end, while it may even cost you relationships, you can stand confidently before God when the day comes you must and say, “I stood for you as best I could”.
When you stand in front of Jesus Christ, face to face (and you will), you want to be able to say “You were scorned, made fun of, and mocked because you brought THE truth. You were often lonely and cast out. I did my best to do it like you did…I owe you that…and so much more.”
Being one with the world will make you popular and loved by the world.
Be not deceived. More often than not, in so being, you are likely not one with God, His Son, and His way. I’m sorry to report it. But you’re likely not.
I encourage you to ask yourself this. When the day of your very short life, in the span of eternity, comes to a close and you stand face to face with Jesus Christ himself, unable to even look upon God the Father due to his magnificent glory and righteousness, who makes it clear the world’s way is NOT his way, will all of those you so desperately sought the approval of be by your side cheering you on, making the case for you to NOT be cast out?
Will all those people telling you today that you deserve to be happy and you should live by YOUR TRUTH be there waiting? Nope. It’s just you and the Savior. That’s it.
Will all those you sought the approval of causing you to compromise on God’s standards be standing there? Nope. Not a single one will be.
The way I understand it, there’s only one. And you will be standing there, alone, with him.
I suggest you make sure you are doing things HIS way…not yours…when that day arrives. Choose well now, for it will have consequences later.
May you be encouraged today.
-rob out
