Know the truth for yourself

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

Following Jesus as “the way’ involves more than just praising Him with our lips. It means to follow His example and teachings. That’s why it’s so important to not only read His word, but to understand it and obey it for yourself. The bible tells of a group of people called the Bereans who heard the message of the gospel from Paul and Silas. They listened eagerly and they searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

Have you ever heard a sermon or devotional message and then checked it against the word of God? Or do you simply take every word spoken as the gospel truth? The Bereans were commended as being more noble, willing to learn and opened minded because they wanted to know the truth for themselves and they took the time and effort to find the truth in God’s word.

Many writers and film producers have taken liberties in telling the stories of Jesus hoping to draw in the readers and audiences with added flair and drama. Often preachers and teachers who have studied the Bible for years also add many of their own opinions and philosophies making it difficult to tell what is from the Bible and what is not. More and more we see the words of the Bible being cherry picked so that it has a form or the Word, but the full truth is hidden so that wrong actions and lifestyles seem acceptable.

While books, movies, sermons and teachings can be helpful and add to the enjoyment of learning about Jesus, we need to follow the example of the Bereans and daily search the Bible to see if what we are seeing, reading and hearing line up with the Word of God. Then we need to go live a life of obedience to God’s truth found in His Word.

Our relationship with God is personal and we will each stand before God one day and give an account of our lives. The Bible tells us that on that day many will say, “Lord, Lord,” but His response will be, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”

To do His will you have to know His will and His will is found in the Bible….the Word of God. What you will discover as you search the scriptures for yourself is a passion for God’s Word. The Bible tells us that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Your passion for God’s Word is a passion for God Himself.

Lord Jesus, I want to know You more. I want to know Your word for myself and be able to decipher Your truth from the things I read, hear and see. Give me a passion for Your Word and a deeper relationship with You. Amen.