"For The Truth's Sake."

by G.E.Stockwell | Category: General | Nov 1936

The Apostle John at the commencement of his second epistle, in sending greeting to" the elect lady and her children," says-" For the truth's sake which abideth with us, and it shall be with us for ever : Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us." "The truth" here has a much deeper meaning than what is usually meant when we speak of "telling the truth." Here, John is speaking of Divine doctrine in a comprehensive sense. "The truth," is "The truth of God." The doctrines of the God-breathed Scriptures which centre in Christ who is "The Truth," and which are applied to the mind and heart by "The Spirit of Truth" (literally "the Truth," for the definite article is present in the original) of whom it is written, "He shall guide you into all the truth" (John 16. 13). This includes the truth of God's will in the matter of baptism, for the Lord has commanded that disciples are to be baptized-that is, immersed in water (even as Christ Himself was, by John the baptizer), and baptized disciples are seen in Acts 2. 41, to be "Added" together, and continuing "Stedfastly in the Apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers "(verse 42), pattern indeed for all disciples who accept " The truth," desiring to carry out God's revealed mind and will, and who "as living stones, are built up a spiritual house" (1 Peter 2. 5). "Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the chief corner stone ; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord... for a habitation of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2. 20-22). As we contemplate these things, the desire and prayer arises in our hearts-

Grant that more perfectly

Thy will may be expressed;

That gathered saints may show

The way of truth is best."

"The truth of God" is very precious and must be jealously guarded, but to do so often brings opposition and in some cases persecution. The word of God must be rightly handled (2 Timothy 2. 15), and dispensational truths rightly divided. To ensure this, scripture must be compared with scripture, and every care must be taken not to build up doctrines on isolated statements, i.e., statements not supported by other scriptures.

The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy says-" If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and DISPUTES OF WORDS, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, wranglings of men corrupted in mind and BEREFT OF THE TRUTH, supposing that godliness is a way of gain" (1 Timothy 6. 3-5). This is in harmony with what Paul bad written in chapter 1. 3-" charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine."

Doctrines of men, errors, sects-all arise either from ignorance of, or departure from "the truth of God."

That there are many companies of people gathering with the thought of serving God we cannot and do not deny, but certain and sure are we that, if they are not building "according to" "The truth," such companies are constitutionally not of God.

We know that there is "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all" (Ephesians 4. .5, 6), and that God "willeth that all men should be saved, and come to THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH" (1 Timothy 2. 4). But how slow men are to believe! Thousands reject the glorious gospel message

of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And many of those who have received Him as Saviour do not obey Him as Lord in relation to Matthew 28. 19, 20; Acts 2. 41, 42, and other scriptures which we have referred to. How sad and serious it is when believers fail to carry out His will as disciples : and how solemn when "The truth of God" is rejected-as He Himself was, who said "I am THE TEUTII," as well as "the way" and "the life" (John 14. 6).

Whilst it is true that there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, and that the sinner's salvation cost God His only begotten Son-yet it is God's will that each one who is saved should also come to the knowledge of "the truth" the importance of which we may judge by the Apostle John's third epistle where he writes-" Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth " (verse 4).

May these few words be graciously used of God to arouse the interest of the reader, and may he or she be exercised thereby to order the life and ways according to "the truth of God" as revealed in His Word.

G.E.Stockwell | Nov 1936
General