The Search for Truth

 

When I first became truly born again I was subjected to a plethora of doctrines from many Christians and denominations.

I was really amazed at the way that these "Christians" genuinely hated each other. I kept thinking to myself, "Aren't we all on the same team - with the same instruction manual?" This denomination would put down all others as being either misled by satan or satanic in origin or practice. They would then encourage and sometimes even demand that I have nothing to do with "those kind".

Each denomination would then list a handful of scriptures that proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that they and they alone were right. Then the next one would contradict the last one with their handful of scripture and attempt to prove they were the one and only denomination that preached the truth.

This kept me in a constant state of confusion because I never really knew who or what to believe. Even when I tried to read the Bible on my own to get the answers, these nice Christian folks would tell me how wrong I was. Again they would take their handful of scripture and prove me wrong.

I stayed confused because what I was reading in God's Word didn't always match what they were telling me. They told me that the verses they quoted were all in "context", and that I was taking God's Word "out of context". This just added to my confusion because I was reading chapters at a time (which I thought was in context - I even looked it up in the dictionary ), I wasn't just picking out the verses that suited me.

I could never figure out why one scripture "outranked" another, nor could I understand why God talked so plainly to them and not me. This kept up till I was ready to throw in the towel.

Finally out of desperation I picked a denomination I liked and was already somewhat familiar with and just went with what their doctrine said. I studied as best I could; consciously aware of how they said to interpret God's Word.

I lived like this from 1978 to 1990. During this time I could never really get to a fully committed state. I was willing to die for Christ; I just was not willing to live for him.

What I mean is that I knew beyond the shadow of any doubt that I was born again, and that God loved me, there was no way I could deny that. On the other hand, I also knew that most of what I was told about God and His Word did not seem to make any significant difference in my life outside of the salvation experience.

The realization that God's Word didn't affect me the way my Christian tutors told me it would caused me to take God's Word less than seriously. I could believe that I was born again, but I didn't have the prosperity they promised when I tithed, nor did I get the instant deliverance they promised from the sin in my life (just to name a few).

During this period of my walk with God there would be times that I would truly seek the truth - but could not find it. I got to know the Bible quite well, as long as you looked at it from the denominational perspectives I was being taught. I knew all the "pat" answers that my denomination used to prove itself right, but there always seemed to be something lacking.

I did my best to be obedient to the denominational and pastoral guidelines set before me. Sadly however I was never able to tap into the "power" they all promised. After I realized my quest for truth was not producing any results, I would "backslide" once again.

During the times that I would backslide, I was still considered by my peers to be a very good Christian. After all I wasn't doing anything I hadn't seen other Christians do. Very seldom would I ever do anything that was really "that bad".

After living this cycle for 12 years and driving myself nuts, I decided to give it one more shot. Depending on how this final quest for truth turned out would determine the way I would spend the rest of my life.

I figured if once again I could not find God's power in my life I was going to just quit looking for it. I planned on staying saved; I would just quit torturing myself by looking for something more. After all there were only a very few people that seemed to have what I was looking for, and who was I to expect such things from God?

I had no plans of turning my back on God, I knew He loved me and saved me from hell. What I was trying to decide was simple, could I know God personally, and take Him at His (whole) Word or not? I had decided that if it was not possible for me to know God in this manner that I would quit looking for a deeper more meaningful relationship and just be satisfied being saved.

Since this was my last shot at knowing God personally, I decided to go for broke and simply read God's Word for what it was, not as it had been taught to me.

I started reading God's Word from a new perspective. I began reading chapters and even books at a time. I was still plagued by the teachings I studied under. Every time I would find a new truth I would immediately revert back to the denominational teaching I had received.

I began to pray that God would reveal the truth of His Word to me, and He did. I'll never forget it as long as I live - it scared the heck out of me!

I was sitting and reading the bible, and I heard a voice (sort of) it was really more like a feeling. God asked me what I was doing. My reply was "duhh - I'm reading Your Word". God said no - you're not. Again He asked me what I was doing. My reply was the same, I didn't know how else to answer.

Then God told me that I had been well churched, and that I knew the scripture well enough, but not from His perspective. God told me that while I was reading I was also remembering and pondering all the sermons and teachings I had been subject to and trying to fit it into God's Word. Well - it didn't fit!

God then told me He wanted me to read the bible for the first time. I needed to make a conscious effort to put out of my mind all the "spiritual education" I had accumulated so far. It was kind of hard to do. I had to re-read many verses and chapters at a time in order to see them from God's perspective.

The process of reading God's Word for the first time was a tough one to be sure, but it had great rewards. God revealed to me that the Holy Spirit was my true teacher ( John 14:26 , 1 John 2:27 , Matthew 16:17 ). I began to see the "truth" in God's Word in a new and much more personal way.

I am now a firm believer that God's Word can not be truly taught by man, it must be revealed by the Holy Spirit. I don't mean to say that we never learn from man (teachers, leaders, pastors, etc.). The point I'm trying to get across is that although man can teach, speak, and do the truth, that revelation of truth does not belong to us until the Holy Spirit reveals it to us in our own hearts.

During this process God revealed to me that one of the major things I was missing in my relationship with Him was the ability to "rightly divide" the Word of Truth ( 2 Timothy 2:15 ). When I would allow my denominational thinking to rationalize God's Word, I would in effect "quench" the move of the Holy Spirit in my heart. When the Holy Spirit would try to reveal something to me, my mind would immediately say - Oh no, that couldn't be, pastor so-and-so said so.

God was teaching me to be more like the Bereans ( Acts 17:11). The verses in Acts referring to the Bereans imply several noteworthy examples.

They must have already been actively studying God's Word prior to this event, or they would not have received this new teaching with such readiness. If this teaching were contrary to their beliefs they would have most likely rejected it immediately. They listened intently and wanted to hear everything that Paul and Silas had to say. They were actively seeking the truth - and more of it on a deeper level. They wanted to know all they could about God and His plan. They considered God's Word to be the ultimate truth, and not merely the words of the apostles. They searched the scriptures daily (in it's entirety) to see if these things were so. They went beyond just accepting the teaching because the great apostle Paul was doing the teaching. They wanted to hear from God Himself to validate, verify, and reveal the teachings of the apostles.

We need to understand that Paul was teaching the truth, so when the Bereans went to verify his teaching with God's Word, it matched perfectly. Nowhere in the scripture is it stated (or even implied) that Paul or Silas were upset or offended that the Bereans insisted on validating their teaching in the Word of God before accepting it.

Unfortunately it is not so with several of today's churches and denominations. Many get downright angry with anyone that dares question their authority. Although not directly stated, but by their actions and attitudes they imply that they consider themselves, their pastor, or their denomination to be the final authority on God's Word (which is plainly the work of the Holy Spirit).

Where does this attitude leave the work of the Holy Spirit? It is to our shame that this necessary work of the Holy Spirit goes greatly undone. If we allow anyone except the Holy Spirit to interpret and reveal God's Word for us we risk missing the correct interpretation and true revelation.

The Holy Spirit is our teacher, interpreter and guide concerning the Word of God. If we don't allow Him to work in our lives how can we really know the truth? It's fine to go to your pastor or other leaders to ask questions or get advice, but I encourage you to be like the Bereans and make God's Word your final authority.

Most of my personal experience with denominational people leads me to believe that they suffer from some amount of tunnel vision. They have a tendency to only see things from their denominations point of view. We need to understand that there is a divine balance in God's Word.

There is a time and purpose for everything we must go through ( Ecclesiastes 3:1-10). If we only look at our situation from a single point of view then we risk missing God's purpose (that's exactly what I was doing for the first 12 years of my Christian walk). I have since learned that much of God's Word is situational in nature.

Consider the battles we face as Christians everyday. If satan is tempting you, you handle that one way ( James 4:7 ), if he comes in like a flood and attacks you, then God handles it for you ( Isaiah 59:19 ). Romans chapter 7 deals with the flesh, and again it's handled differently. If our flesh is warring against the Spirit and we spend our energy rebuking and binding the devil, aren't we fighting the WRONG enemy?

If God is testing your heart, do any of the above scriptures really apply - NO!

If Job had rebuked the devil would it have worked? No - because satan had God's permission to test Job's heart. Job could have wasted a lot of time and effort on devil rebuking. If Job had rebuked the devil and it didn't work, he may have become bitter towards God in the process.

Consider how "denominational" Job's friends were. They told him there must be sin in the camp. They told him that what he was going through was entirely his fault - but the scripture reveals that was not at all the case. Keep in mind that much of what they said was true - it just didn't apply to Job.

I can not stress enough our need to depend totally on the Holy Spirit to rightly divide the Word of Truth. The Holy Spirit will reveal to you what your situation really is, and He will also reveal to you how it must be handled and which scriptures apply.

Please understand that I don't mean to imply that ALL denominations are wrong, what I am saying is that God is right - PERIOD ( Romans 3:4 ). Jesus is the only one with Words that lead to life ( John 6:68 ).

We need to break free of the denominational limitations we place on the Holy Spirit. Any given denomination (or individual) may claim to have the whole truth, but can they? Doesn't the bible say that God will continue this good work in us? ( Philippians 1:6 ) This verse (and many others) imply that the work of the Holy Spirit and the building of a personal relationship with God are ongoing processes.

The truth is - that no matter how much scripture I know - The Holy Spirit can always reveal more. No matter how close I am to God - God can always draw me closer. No matter now obedient I am - I can always do better. No matter how much wisdom I possess - God can always give me more. No matter how hard it is for me - it was harder for Jesus.

If we are willing to be honest with God and ourselves, we allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in our hearts. If we have the integrity to search ALL of God's Word and receive the rebuke and correction of The Holy Spirit, then, and only then, we can get to know God personally and get a true revelation of His Word.

Through ignorance, arrogance, and misrepresentation the Body of Christ has suffered greatly. We have driven many souls away from God and His salvation by not teaching them the WHOLE truth. We have neglected to tell them how to seek God for the answers, instead we give them doctrinal statements and "pat" answers that don't always fit their situation.

Many have left the faith because when they prayed the magic prayer of faith - it went unanswered. When they rebuked the devil he didn't immediately leave. When faced with adversity, they didn't know how to endure it, or like Job they were told that it was all their fault.

As servants of God we must understand that we can only lead someone to the truth, the Holy Spirit must reveal it to them. We must encourage our brothers and sisters to seek God for themselves, we simply can't do it for them.

When we tell someone to "have faith", or "give it to God" we need tell them how to do it! We need to define the true meaning of faith for people before we can expect them to have any. These are the 2 "pat" phrases that caused the most confusion in my own walk.

When we, in our denominational tone use "pat" answers like this we imply that faith is a decision we make on the spot (to some degree it is). The kind of faith that God desires is based on an enduring relationship, not a snap decision.

The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon Strong's Number: 4102 Faith 2. fidelity, faithfulness a. the character of one who can be relied on Reference

There is a degree of faith and confidence that we can put in someone's reputation and/or position, but how deep can it go? The faith placed in a person due to their position or reputation is different than relationship-based faith.

For example, you may love and trust your pastor, but are they on your checking account? Pastor may know and love you, but you're not on his checking account either.

My wife is on my checking account because I know and trust her on a completely different level. There is a closeness between us that can not be shared with anyone else. I know my wife in a much deeper way than I know my pastor.

I hope your beginning to get the picture, I trust my wife differently than I trust my pastor because of the personal relationship we have built over the years. We have been through good times, and bad times, and because of that - I know her character. I am persuaded to trust her based on the relationship we share.

God wants us to know and trust Him in this very same way. As the bride of Christ we need to get to know Him on a much deeper level as well. We need to develop an intimate, relationship-based persuasion that God can be trusted. This is true faith as defined in God's Word.

You can see that the faith God wants us to have can only be attained by personal knowledge of God's character. This is the fruit of faith spoken of in Galatians 5:22 . We need to let people know that true faith can not simply be turned on and off when we want to.

True faith is relationship-based, we need to get to know God for ourselves on a personal level. Faith must be built over time by submission to the Holy Spirit and personal revelation of God's Word.

When we use Christian cliches like "have faith", and we don't explain what faith really is - we profit them nothing ( James 2:15-16 ). Without truly defining faith we can wound our brothers and sisters deeply.

When you say the word faith to most people they will define it as being a religious belief. As faithful stewards of our Fathers kingdom we need to let them know that God defines faith in a different way than we do. We have no problem explaining the difference between the world's view of sin and God's view, so why should this be any different?

We need to be careful about what we say, remember a half-truth is a whole lie. To be good stewards we must be ready in season and out of season to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

We need to lead people to our God, not our churches or denominations. Again let me stress that I'm not condemning denominations, I'm saying that we need to lead people to Jesus first.

We need to encourage people to build a relationship with the Father, not memorize a doctrinal statement. Even if the statements are true, the Holy Spirit must reveal them. By only exposing someone to a denominational statement (when presented as the final authority) we rob them of the revelation and relationship with God He desires.

We need to be like Paul and Silas, give them the doctrinal statement and then encourage them to search the scripture to see if these things are so. If our doctrinal statement is true, what reason would we have not to encourage verification?

One final note, if you find that you spend more time defending your church or denomination than you do preaching the Gospel, you may want to re-evaluate your loyalties.

2 Timothy 2:14-18

14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

2 Timothy 4:1-8

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.