Good morning,
The triumph of the truth!
We are all living in exciting times. All over the world our cultures are going through dynamic changes and in each one of our countries we are facing new and powerful ideas about who and what we should trust. I would guess that almost all of you are quite aware of the challenges that have we been facing about the truthfulness of our president. These last three years we have watched in awe as people in leadership have done their best to set aside the guidelines given to us by our founding fathers. One important part of this change is the “truth” that the Bible and those who believe and obey these standards are now enemies of our society and our government. What I find exciting about all this is that when Jesus comes back or calls us home we have a promise that he made to all of God’s children that, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”(Jn.8.32) There are two different levels to this promise. First, we can know by faith the truth that God has given us in his Word, the Bible, and live by these standards as trustworthy truth no matter what anyone else tells us. The second level that we are looking forward to is when everyone who has ever lived on the earth will meet the only Judge in eternity. The Bible tells us, For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.(Mat.16:27)
When Jesus came to our earth he came as one of us, he lived with us and died willingly for us and rose again in triumph over Satan and his followers. When we see Jesus again, for God’s family we will meet Him as Savior and Lord and Lover and Judge. Jesus said, Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again. Then he continued, Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.(Jn.5:28,29) In Romans we are told Jesus, will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.(2:7) But then, he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.(v.8) For those of us who are now living on our world, will face more and more “revenge” on us for breaking the truths that have been planted and empowered by Satan and those who have chosen to believe his lies. Peter tells us, Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.(1Pet.4:4) The idea that everyone is doing it is a powerful and hate filled lie. But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.(v.5) The second aspect of knowing the truth is what Jesus told us, I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.(Jn.12:46) The Lord knows how much pressure we are facing during these times, but Paul also tells us, All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.(1Cor.15:12) So now as we are looking forward to seeing Jesus in the clouds or welcoming us home in heaven that, now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.(2Tim.4:8) Dear Jesus, thank you for your truth for us now and for all eternity.
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
Roy Wisner
