The truth never hurt no one

 

There are times when I hear people say, " the truth never hurt no one", makes me question if they have ever been told the truth. The fact is often the truth hurts us very much. In today's society people often avoid those who will tell them the truth and seek those whom will say what is pleasant to their ears. I often laugh when I here someone say, "I am not going to church there, I was offended by the preacher, he stepped on my toes." My response is if the preacher was speaking the Bible, then no one is offended, however they are convicted of wrongdoing, or should I just say "sin." The reason the truth hurts often is because it points out our faults, blemishes, and shortcomings. The human nature of people feel offended when someone tells them that what they are doing is wrong, whether it be a parent, a spouse, a friend, and especially God. We need to take heed when the Word of God points out sin in our lives. The "TRUTH," or the Word of God has great power; Rom. 1:16- For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. The Word of God does these things: 1. It Convicts - 1 Jn. 3:4- Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.  We need to understand if God says something and you are doing contrary to God's commands you are in bondage to sin. Furthermore, Jesus said, Jn. 14:15- If ye love me, keep my commandments. 2. It Convinces - Jesus said, Jn. 8:24- I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins. We need to understand that people are not lost because God does not love them, it is because people love themselves more than they do God. Jn. 14:21- He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. We can't love ourselves and our lifestyles more than God (Lk. 9:23).  3. It Changes - Once we are convicted of our sins, and we are convinced that Jesus is the only place to seek remission of our sins, we are moved to Repentance, or a change of mind, that leads to a change of heart, which seeks a change in lifestyle. It is simply turning away from sin and turning to God according to His commandments. This is commanded Lk. 13:3-  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Here is the "Truth !!!" Today whom do you serve, the Bible says you can only serve one master; Mt. 6:24- No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  Who are you living by? The Word of God or the Ways of the World? Are you like Joshua?  Joshua 24:15-And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. If you have not obeyed the commands of God, His Word, the Truth you are in bondage to sin. However, if you want to be free God's Truth is where freedom is found Jn. 8:32- And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Does the Truth hurt, yes it does, I remember being broken into realizing the sin I was in and as a result I was lost not for a short time, but for eternity. However, that is how God needed me to be, so that I would have a truly Repentant heart. However, today I rejoice because of the freedom and the promises of eternal life given by and in Jesus Christ. In the deepest love, I hope that this TRUTH has hurt you somehow, that your life may be changed to accept God. Here is what the Bible commands: Hear (God's Word) Rom. 10:17 Believe (Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God and He was crucified, buried, and resurrected.) Jn. 8:24 Confess (Rom. 10:10) Repent (Turn from sin and to God) Lk. 13:3, Acts 17:30 Baptized (The only way to become a NEW MAN) Rom. 6:3-4 Be Faithful (Abide by God's commands until death after the New Birth in Christ) Rev. 2:10 Shawn D. Slone