“⁷But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. ⁸For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. ⁹For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.” – 2 Corinthians 13:7-9 (ESV)

I remember back when I was a teenager. I had invited a friend to our church revival and during the youth time one evening that friend accepted Christ as his personal savior. I and another friend were so elate that we embraced and rejoiced at this event.

I imagine that Paul is referring to a similar desire here. I can see Paul as he is writing this letter, weeping for the people of Corinth and their Christianity. As he writes in verse 9, “we are glad when we are weak and you are strong.”

As I look back, how have I fared in the way of being glad for others acceptance of and growth in their relationship with Christ? I wonder if I have been able to rejoice for and with them in those wonderful instances as I was back in that day as a teenager?

I am not so sure. You see, if you really know me, you know that I am not someone that puts themselves out there. I expect that others are able to do the right things and self motivate thereby not needing someone to encourage and build them up. I will say though that as I have grown in my life that I see the relational value to taking that approach, and I am sure that God’s Word is a big reason why.

In verse 8 Paul writes about doing “for the truth”. I have to take the approach to be true in my dealings with others, and in doing so, people look at me as though I am being inflexible and overly rigid in some things. To that I say, AND. I see this authentic approach as spreading the love of Christ and being true to others is only making them stronger. When they realize that they have succeeded and I am able to witness it, I will be able to embrace them with joy as we celebrate that success.

For you, are you willing to be truthful with those around you? Do you celebrate the success of others for their sake only? Will you be true to others for their sake and not yours?

“⁴Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (ESV)

Quite the passage on love. Paul identifies what love is. My study is on “truth” and brought be here where I am reminded of the relationship of truth and love.

All too often I have heard the misnomer, “I lied to protect you out of love”. And whereas there may be some validity to that misnomer, it is all in the mind of the one saying it. I can certainly see where the thought comes from and why someone would believe it, for it allows the person saying it to avoid the difficulty of fessing up to whatever the situation was. I guess in some way, that would be acceptable, although really only in and for the person saying it, and everyone else is left to suffer through reality at some point.

The correct approach to demonstrate love would be to tell the truth. Will it be painful, likely yes. Will it cause some difficulty, yes. Will one be uncomfortable with “letting the cat out of the bag”, surely.

Giving of the truth will allow for a quicker and more complete resolution. The issue will not linger on and continue to be a burden as time progresses. There will be an opportunity to address and get ahead of the item. It will be like “ripping off a bandage”, a quick amount of discomfort to allow for the healing.

Love is truth and truth is love. When there is love, there should always be truth. Looking out for the other is more important than looking out for oneself. My pastor gave a sermon in his series, “This Changes Everything” where he spoke of the dedication of wives and husbands to one another. The 3^rd point in speaking to each of them was to “Put your husbands/wives needs above your own”. This point works so closely with these verses of love and truth. With my love for Lori, it is my responsibility to full of truth as is her responsibility with me. Our love is truth and truth is love.

When you are dealing with others, of whom are you thinking? What does your demonstration of love look like with them? Are you able to demonstrate your love through truth in your relationship?

It is so interesting to me that people with consciously deceive. And I use the word consciously because it is a choice to do so.

“¹⁸For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth…²⁹They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, ³⁰slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, ³¹foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. ³²Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” – Romans 1:18 & 29-32 (ESV)

The suppression of something is the act of pushing it down or not allowing it to come out. Man has been suppressing since the days of Adam and Eve. The verses above may seem and feel a bit pointed, and for that I do NOT apologize.

I live in a world where the moral dilemma is on full display each and every day. The perpetration of what is desired to be seen is certainly out there and the truth is hidden away. Now I do not want it to sound as though I am saying that this is something that has just begun, this same dilemma has been in the world, as I said, since the days of Adam and Eve. But with the visibility we have in the world today, this is so much more noticed and, to paraphrase from verse 32 above, accepted and expected.

I long for a world where the truth is the way. I can strive for that life here, now. Will I always be fully truthful? I like to think the answer is yes, although as I am human that will be a resounding NO. The key thing for me is to NOT consciously suppress the truth and when I do, I should be on my knees repenting and asking for forgiveness. I am accountable to my actions and words and the one I am ultimately accountable to is God.

I will take the action to live in the truth at each turn.

Are you aware of that you suppress the truth? How long have you been actively suppressing the truth? What actions can you take to turn and live in the truth?

Social media is a great way to stay up to date of the goings on of those you know. It is also a platform for telling stories. And a place where debate can happen that includes many people and organizations from many perspectives. But a place to find “truth”, that is something that is questionable.

Jesus was arrested and put on “trial” for reportedly claiming to be the “King of the Jews” and doing evil or working outside the confines of the religious law. The charges are not up for debate as that is exactly what Pilate was told and what Jesus was was questioned about in John 18:33-40.

“³³So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ ³⁴Jesus answered, ‘Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?’ ³⁵Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?’” – John 18:33-35 (ESV)

I am not studying this with the idea of debating what was said or the circumstances or anything other than this. Pilate was seeking the truth. I have to give him credit in this regard, he did not take the word of the people and questioned Jesus on his own to get to the truth. At this point, Pilate was not satisfied with condemning a man because the people said so. He was diligent in looking for the truth and getting to the bottom of things. And after he had sufficiently gathered the information from Jesus, he rendered his findings to the people.

“³⁷Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’ ³⁸Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’ After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, ‘I find no guilt in him.’” – John 18:37-38 (ESV)

Now, I am stopping here with as again I am mention that at this point, Pilate was doing the right thing. He had done his work of digging into the facts and questioning the correct people to find out what really happened. He had sought the truth and found it, but only through his truly seeking.

I opened this morning with a quick blurb about social media and I want to come back to that for a moment. I believe that there is too much in that platform that is shared, claimed, “reported”, and/or displayed that requires more understanding before it can be passed off as truth. Jesus may have healed someone on the Sabbath, but he was working the construct of God’s law, not the law of man. Something may have happened or been done, and the context of the action may be completely different than that which is seen in the media. It is up to us to seek the truth and not allow ourselves to be distracted by the reports and statement of others.

Jesus is Truth and therefore I should be seeking Him. When I am seeking Him, I am seeking the Truth and not leaving it up to someone else to dictate my beliefs.

What do you see that may/may not be the truth? Are you accepting of everything that you read or hear or see as the truth? Are you actively seeking the Truth each and every day?

I am a believer and this morning, I am reminded as to what that means.

“⁸For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. ⁹I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁷Sancity them in the truth; your word is truth.” – John 17:8-9 & 17 (ESV)

Thank you Jesus for giving to me and accepting me and praying for me.

I have not been in this world long, but Jesus spoke to God on my behalf even before he was crucified. He prayed for my salvation. He prayed that I be spared. He prayed that I would be sanctified. He prayed for me as His brother. JESUS PRAYED FOR ME!!!

Thankfully I have heard the truth and believed. I was given an opportunity to listen to the Word of God and I still am able to study today. I have embraced the idea of understanding the Word of God and working to live out the plan He has for me, even though I do not have a full picture of that plan.

In verse 9 above Jesus was not praying for the world, he was praying for those in the world that have believed in the truth and follow the teachings of God. Jesus was praying for ALL those that believe in the truth. As I have believed in the truth, I have been accepted as joint heir with Jesus.

And even at the end of this prayer to God, Jesus continued to pray for me.

“²⁶I made known to them in your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in them.” – John 17:26 (ESV)

Jesus prays for me even today that I believe in the truth and continue to believe in Him.

Have you heard the Word of God? Have you believed in the truth that is God? Are you able to be with Jesus through your belief in the truth?

I think of vacations and other trips or experiences where we have just gone and expected to be amazed, only to realize that we missed out. We would have had such a more robust and full experience had we been with a guide to point out and direct our attention to some of the more intricate items along our journey.

“¹³When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” – John 16:13 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking with the disciples here and laying out what it will look like once He ascends into heaven. Jesus makes it clear that they will not be left on their own to wander around and hope to keep things moving. They will have a guide, the Holy Spirit, to provide the path to accomplishing all that Jesus had for them to take on. They would be led to the right area, meet the right people, speak in the right audiences, witness to the right groups. The disciples would have a guide to direct their attention to some of the more intricate items along their journey.

And for me, the Holy Spirit is still here guiding me as well. I can certainly use the guidance along my path as I am so easily distracted by the shiny things in life and need some help getting back on the path God has for me. The Holy Spirit is here with me to allow me to take a few detours and experience on my own, but also to provide the needed direction so that I will find my way back to the path so that I can complete the journey. The Holy Spirit guides me to the true direction I am to be headed.

How do I know that the direction I am headed is the truth?

“⁶Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” – John 14:6 (ESV)

Not much clearer than that. The Holy Spirit is of Jesus and comes at His calling. As such the path we are guided on by the Spirit is the path of truth.

“¹⁴He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” – John 16:14-15 (ESV)

Jesus is the truth and the Spirit comes from Jesus and therefore the Spirit is truth and provides that truth to me each day.

Are you looking for the truth? Were you aware that the Holy Spirit is truth and is guiding you to that truth? Are you willing to follow the guidance to truth provided by the Spirit?

“¹⁹If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” – John 15:19 (ESV)

What a revelation for me to have received. I am hated in the world because I am now not of this world any longer. I have been chosen and adopted by God and am heir to all from God, the world no longer claims me and hates my very existence.

This should not be a surprise. The world likes what follows their line of thinking. When I go against the desires of the world, I am then considered the enemy. And as I am in the light, the world can see me and feels the need to push back and fight against that which is not like them.

I am to live my life according to the truth I receive from the Holy Spirit which is provided to me by the Father and the Son.

“²⁶But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. ²⁷And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” – John 15:26-27 (ESV)

Jesus is making it clear that I am not alone. I may be physically facing the world by myself, but I am not alone and the Holy Spirit if fact is working silently with me on behalf of the Father and the Son. And as the Spirit works silently, I am working physically to bring the truth to the world, with the protection and assistance of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

“⁹Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. ¹⁰Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. ¹¹But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” – 1 John 2:9-11 (ESV)

It is the truth that lights the world and that light is the enemy of darkness and will prevail.

Are you in the light or in the darkness? Will you stand in the light for Jesus? Are you able to be the truth, even knowing that you will be hated?

“¹³Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ – ¹⁴yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” – James 4:13-14 (ESV)

I do not know if tomorrow will even make it. I should not really look for what tomorrow holds. I should prepare for tomorrow, and spend my time doing the work of today.

Yesterday, Lori was so excited about completing her list of tasks for the week as she had some time for it whereas over the past few weeks, time has been in short supply. We had a good discussion about task lists and that it might be a good process to come up with a “today” list and a “this week” list. The “today” list would be for those items that MUST get done today, and the “this week” is for those items that are not overly critical, and as long as complete by the end of the week the target has been complete.

When I look at verses 13 and 14 above, I see those 2 lists. Today is for those critical must do items and our focus should be there as we do the work of God. Tomorrow is for those items that if not specifically done, really will not impact immediately the work we are doing for God.

I have to remember to turn my attention to the today and work the list of to do items God has for me to complete. Once I have completed that list, I can begin to prepare the list for tomorrow and work on those items that were not as critical for completion today.

We are distracted by many things and those distractions are usually items that are not as critical as they appear to be. What might be urgent for one person may not be as urgent or even as important for me. I have my own tasks to complete and have to avoid being dragged into things that take me away from those tasks.

I want to be careful in that I am not saying we are to help and serve others. What I am saying is that I have to be careful to put the tasks God has given me for today on hold. While I am working on the preparations for upcoming, I should absolutely step in and provide for those around me. I need to look at the item presented and use the wisdom and guidance and discernment provided by God to take the appropriate action in completing the work God has given to me.

I can prepare for tomorrow, and I need to work for today. As is written in verse 14 above, “you do not know what tomorrow will bring”. I have to work for today, doing the work of God today and allow tomorrow to take care of itself.

How much effort are you putting into the planning for and looking to the tomorrow? What about your work on today? Are you preparing for tomorrow, yet working on today?

Lori and I recently were informed that a home where we once lived was for sale and so we went on line to take a look at how things had changed. I almost did not recognize the place even looking at it from the street, and we lived there for seven years. The tree in the front yard is fully mature. The shrubs were grown and manicured. And when you looked at the pictures of the inside, well there seemed to be a complete transformation.

I know that I have remained basically the same over the years. I still approach things the same way, but as I have grown in my faith, adult life, and career, there are some noticeable differences. I spend time studying God’s Word each day. I have made it a priority to continue to learn and grow my knowledge and capability. I have become more assertive.

Things change, and whereas I have grown and changed in an effort to be more like Christ, He has not changed.

“⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

What a wonderful thing that I can look to the unchanging guide for my journey. I do not have to worry if I will recognize things when I look for them. I do not have to be concerned with what version of Jesus I will come in contact this time. My focus can remain in the growth and learning phase and understanding, not deciphering the mood or temperament of my Lord and Savior.

Jesus wants only the best for me and the way He demonstrates that is through His consistent, genuine, steadfast love each day. And today is no different. Wherever I am, whatever my need, Jesus loves me just the same as he did 5 minutes ago, 5 days ago, 5 years ago, 5 minutes from now, 5 days from now, or 5 years from now. “Jesus is the same”.

For you, do you find yourself looking for guidance from something or someone that has/will change? Are you aware of the consistent, genuine, steadfast love that Jesus has for you each day? Jesus is the same today, will you look to Him for guidance?

I have to remember to take advantage of today.

“¹²Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. ¹³But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” – Hebrews 3:12-13 (ESV)

I have seen on a number of occasions in places of business the offering of “free” something “tomorrow”. And at first I bought into the phrase and got excited about the prospect of something free, all I had to do was be back tomorrow. And then it hit me that tomorrow never gets here and I would simply toil in perpetuity as I tried to get to tomorrow.

The writer of Hebrews explains that it is the duty of the Christian to care for and lift up fellow Christians today. I cannot wait until tomorrow or later, it is my responsibility today. And the writer takes it even further by saying “every day, as long as it is called ‘today’”, reminding that I have a responsibility every day, not just on the days when I “feel” like it.

When learning or preparing for something, there is a great amount of work that goes into getting ready. Once you have arrived, you can relax for a moment, but then it is back to work so that you can stay there and maintain. You may have heard it said, “getting to the top is the easy part, staying there takes work”. Becoming a Christian is the easy part, all you have to do is accept with your heart the gift of salvation that Jesus freely gives. But, that is just the beginning, as we grow in our faith there is more work to do and that work is done every day. Not Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but every day and every day begins and is focused on today.

I sit here each day and study God’s Word and work to apply His Word to my daily life. Am I fully seizing the day for Christ or am I simply going through the motions? Is every day today for me?

What about you, are you looking to do God’s will each and every day? Are you looking to continue growing your faith each day? Is every day today for you?