EASTER 7 – May 16, 2021 – 1 John 5:9-15
“GOD’S WORD OF TRUTH”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from 1 John 5. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Is argumentation and debate for the purpose of conveying the truth, sharing the truth with others, and blessing them with knowledge of the truth? Or is argumentation and debate simply a game – having nothing to do with truth but merely a matter of logic?
- In the past, within the church, within the scholarly world, and certainly in jurisprudence, argumentation was always a matter of truth. However, in an increasingly skeptical world, much debate today is simply a matter of spewing opinions. The one who does so most vigorously and gets in the most pointed barbs wins the argument. Well, in reality no one wins the argument. There really isn’t a legitimate debate without truth.
- You remember the retort Pontius Pilate made to Jesus during His trial. Jesus told Pilate “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.” Pilate responded: “What is truth?”
- There are many today who would reply in the same way to any “truth claims.” What is truth? Yet for those who know Jesus, the One Who laid down His life for our forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life, His statement is important. There is such a thing as truth and it can be known, and such truth actually provides us with freedom. [John 8:31-36] That truth, if believed, makes us people who are “of the truth.” And the manner in which this happens is by “listening to His voice.” And His Word is the Holy Scripture, the Bible.
- Note that those who are of the truth do not question Jesus’ Words. Those who are of the truth do not doubt Jesus’ Words. And those who are of the truth certainly do not denounce Jesus’ Words, or correct them. Those who do such things demonstrate that they are not of the truth. And that probably doesn’t matter that much to them – its just an argument.
- But according to Jesus, and our text which is also His Word, truth matters a great deal. And according to Jesus and the rest of Holy Scripture, this truth is accessed by means of “GOD’S WORD OF TRUTH.” First let us hear from Jesus Himself.
I. Jesus Asserts In His Prayer That God’s Word Is Truth
Gospel Lesson: “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.”
A. Therefore God’s Word, His Testimony, Is Certainly Greater Than Human Testimony
Text: “If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that He has borne concerning His Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself.”
B. And We Must Understand That Unbelief Is Not Neutral Toward God – It Is Calling Him A Liar
Text: “Whoever does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning His Son.”
Statement: Yes, this matter of truth is personal with God! We must understand this – that to question God’s Word, to correct it, or to dispute it, is to call God a liar. This is not neutrality but animosity and enmity against God! It is what it is, and it cannot be candied over!
Application: When we see this happening, especially within the church – which is supposed to be the fellowship of all believers – we must recognize and acknowledge it for what it is. It is damnable blasphemy – calling God a liar. Now, when we recognize that our sinful nature has this very predilection, this is something to repent of. And as God’s truthful Word states: “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [1 Jn. 1:9] On the other hand, those who elevate themselves above God’s Word do not repent or confess their sins. And even if they were to claim to have God’s forgiveness, what certainty would could they have, since they have already called His Word into question? We must see this for what it is. This is why God has given us His Word of truth.
But most importantly, we must understand that:
II. God’s Word Of Truth Is Good
A. He Asserts That He Has Given Us Eternal Life In Jesus
Text: “This is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son does not have life.”
B. Whoever Has Jesus, By Means Of The Testimony Of God, Has Life, Eternal Life
Text: “God has given us eternal life . . . Whoever has the Son has life.”
C. God’s Good Word Is What Sanctifies Us In The Truth
Gospel Lesson: “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.”
1. His Word declares us justified, completely forgiven, cleansed, and righteous in God’s sight
Rom. 4:3,23-25 “What does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ . . . The words ‘it was counted to him’ were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in Him Who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”
2 Cor. 5:21 “For our sake God made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2. He likewise is our sanctification – the One Who transforms us back into the image of God so that we also are enabled to love
2 Cor. 3:18 “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”
1 Cor. 1:30 “And because of God you are in Christ Jesus, Who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”
1 John 4:19 “We love because He first loved us.”
Statement: Of course truth is always good. And because God’s Word is always truth it is always good. But especially in the testimony of God regarding His Son, our Savior, and our salvation, we see how good the Word of God truly is! It assures of His salvation, that in Christ He is reconciled to us, and that through faith we can have peace with God.
Application: And what could be more important than that? This gives us joy and confidence and courage throughout our entire life in this world. This enables and empowers the nobility of love in our lives, richly blessing others around us! And it all comes to by means of “God’s Word Of Truth!” It is as the apostle asserted: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” [Rom. 10:17] And according to our text:
III. Faith Gives Us Great Confidence In God
A. That We Have Eternal Life
Text: “I write these thing to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”
B. That We Know That We Have All That We Need By Prayer
Text: “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.”
Statement: These are additional blessings that are bestowed upon us through faith in God. And remember, this faith comes by hearing “GOD’S WORD OF TRUTH.” But the one who denies the truth of God’s Word, or who disparages God’s Word, has none of this confidence in God. Oh, he may have false confidence – bravado. But if he ever came face to face with One he is calling a liar – and he will at the moment of his death, there will be no confidence at all, only terror.
Application: So let us heed God’s Word, and allow God to grant Jesus’ prayer to us, that we also be “sanctified in the truth, sanctified in God’s Word.” His Word is truth, and that truth sets us free – to know God as He truly is, and to have the life He gives us in Christ Jesus.
Conclusion: Hopefully you can see that for me this is not simply a debate, but a matter of the utmost seriousness. It is about the truth. But not just any truth, but “GOD’S WORD OF TRUTH.” This Word is the power of God for salvation. This Word brings faith, freedom, renewal, and love.
God preserve us from ever “calling Him a liar” by doubt or denial of His Word. May we ever repent of any and all such thoughts! We will, as continue in “GOD’S WORD OF TRUTH.” Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.