Tuesday, May 18

Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

As you begin your time today, ask God to use his word to grow your roots deep into his truth so that your life may bear fruit for him.

Ephesians 4:14-16
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

I can remember as a young person watching a goofy television show called “Truth or Consequences.” I don’t actually remember much about the show – but I have always wondered if the person who came up with the name for that show was familiar with the Bible!

Paul knew that the city of Ephesus was dominated by the magnificent Temple of Artemis (a pagan goddess) that was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. He knew that the young Ephesian believers were being bombarded daily with philosophies and superstitions that threatened their spiritual growth in Christ. So he focuses on the truth of what God has done in and through Jesus Christ – and reminds his readers that truth matters.

A number of years ago a man named Marshal Applewhite attracted a ragtag band of devoted followers to his “Heaven’s Gate” cult. He claimed – among other things - that an alien spaceship was soon going to rendezvous with earth and that all those who followed his commands would be transported to what he called the “level beyond human.” What happened, of course, was the tragic mass suicide of several dozen of his followers.

Truth matters! Recognizing, understanding and acting on truth produces consequences that are certain. And failing to recognize, understand, and act on truth also has consequences that are equally certain.

When Paul uses the word “truth” he is talking about the truth of Christ. He means that Jesus was the Son of God, and that by his death and resurrection salvation is available to all who believe. The truth is that without Christ, we are still in our sins and separated from the hope of eternal life. The truth is that by faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells our hearts to assure us we are children of God (Romans 8) and to guarantee our inheritance (of eternal life).

Truth matters. As human being we do not create truth, but we discover truth. And then we choose to acknowledge that truth or disregard it. I can choose to believe that gravity does not exist or that it does not apply to me. But if I jump off the top of my house, it will not matter that I do not believe in gravity, because gravity is true and I will fall to the earth with a thud. The same is true with Christ.

The truth of Christ is not exclusive or harsh – just as the truth of gravity is not exclusive or harsh. It is simply true. God’s grace is that he shares his truth with us so that we might understand, believe and act on that truth.

Have you accepted the truth of Jesus Christ? If so, thank God for the promises of his truth. If not – or if you are not sure – ask God to make his truth clear to you so that you can make a decision of faith!