The Heart of Truth...

May 7, 2009

Danielle Joyner Kelley

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26.

As you grow in your relationship with God, you may find yourself plagued with doubts and questions. The more solid you get the shakier things can get around you. But the truth is through you acceptance of Christ you are on solid ground, no matter how shaky the picture looks. Make sure you are doing everything you can to let yourself feel the solid ground you are standing on, and get rid of the doubts.

“This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:6-15.

“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” 1 John 5:18-20.

That is your truth and your reality as a Christian. The battle? Not to let the double-edged sword of doubt and discouragement thrown at you by the enemy shake your foundation of truth. God’s word and promise is your truth and it is sharper than any sword your enemy possesses. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.

You are to stand firm then in the truth. You are a child of God, and through your acceptance of Christ no matter what this world throws at you, in the end, you will prevail. “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:1-5.

You are to know that you belong to God and everything you do should be for Him. You are to “know”, which requires more than “believe”. To “know” means you are alleviating all doubts thrown at you by your enemy. Be convinced, no matter what it takes. “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:5-8.

Jesus has given you life, and you have that option through faith, so stand firm and remember your Savior’s sacrifice and do not fear the enemy. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10. You are on solid ground. Jesus has given you eternal life, and will not let anyone take you from Him. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:27-30.

No amount of trouble from people or this world can shake you when you stand firm. You have truth and eternal life on your side. And nothing can take His love for you away. “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28-39.

Know this now. Work at it now. You never know when it is too late. “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9:4. And remain diligent in growing your faith and overcoming your doubt. Do not give up no matter how weak you feel. “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.” Hebrews 6:11.

And to make sure you remain diligent and know the truth, God has given you a trainer: the Holy Spirit. Turn to Him repeatedly. He is perfect for your heart. “God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:8-9. And remember that He lives within you. Yes, the Holy Spirit lives in you. He is at your disposal anytime you need with whatever question you have. You need discernment? Seek Him. You need a silent spirit? Seek Him. You need to feel full of God’s love? Seek Him. Seek Him for any doubts you have. “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16.

Arm yourself with God’s word so you can stand firm in truth. Don’t just “know about” God’s word, “know” it.

Practice it. “I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." Luke 6:47-49.

Meditate on it. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8.

Hide it in your heart. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11.

Live by it. “Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4.

Have faith in it. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17.

Use it as a weapon against the enemy. “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” Matthew 4:8-11.

It is your promise, your answer, your encouragement, your chance at success, your endurance, your hope, and your guide to handle life’s problems. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4.

And you have a helper living within you to help you use it: the Holy Spirit. He will give you understanding. “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130.

With so much truth and compassion, God is the strength of the heart…