The
first step in this process from Truth to confusion is a failure to
embrace the work of the Holy Spirit (see previous post). The Holy
Spirit is our guide into the Truth of God's Word. We must be able to
recognize His presence and submit to His leadership if we are to walk
in His Truth!
The
second step in the process from Truth to confusion is a failure to
follow Truth. Not only must we be able to discern Truth, by the
working of the Holy Spirit, but it is equally important that we walk
in Truth as it is revealed to us. One function of the Holy Spirit is
to reveal Truth and secondly, empower us to walk therein. As a child
of God we must seek for revelation of Truth and walk in that Truth
without reservation.
What
is Truth? Jude is pleading in Jude 1:3, “...that ye should
earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints.” Jude’s encouragement to “earnestly contend for the
faith” is simply to hold to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul
declared the power of the Gospel in Romans 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;” This was the message given
to the saints to proclaim to a lost and dying world.
By
the time of Jude’s writing there was an influx of false teaching
coming into the churches and finding a receptive ear. Jude was
writing some 40 to 50 years after the death of Jesus. The Faith which
Jesus taught was being diluted (not containing very much of the
original message). The element gone missing was the TRUTH which
Christ had preached and modeled.
It
was upon this TRUTH that Jesus established His Church and the gates
of hell will not prevail. Jesus had asked, “whom say ye that I
am?” Matt. 16:15. Peter’s response was, “Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.” Matt. 16:16. Jesus stated that Peter
knew this by revelation from God the Father and it is upon this
Divine understanding of who Jesus is that He has built His Church and
the gates of hell can not prevail against it. Matt. 16:18,”And I
say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
This is the faith once delivered to the saints, the Truth of the
Gospel message of Jesus Christ.
The
power of the message is the TRUTH. The TRUTH is validated by the
working of the Holy Spirit in the true believer. Validate is to
recognize, establish, or illustrate the worthiness or legitimacy of.
The Holy Spirit will demonstrate the legitimacy of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. Just as Jude pleaded with the first century Church, the
Holy Ghost is pleading with the present day Church. He is saying
repent and return to the Truth which Jesus taught and modeled.
Therein is the power of God unto our salvation and ultimate victory!
(More about this tomorrow).
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