Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Ephesians 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit ...
THE WORD OF TRUTH
What are you absolutely sure of? Anything? Do you feel less confident than in the past? So many things which used to be taken for granted as truths by a majority of people are now questioned or outright denied. The very concept of "truth" is now challenged. Many see truth as something like Jello. It is semi-solid. It molds itself to any container. Put under heat, it melts into a puddle. "Truth" then conveniently fits into whatever mold a person chooses. You can decide for yourself what shape it takes. Under the glare of public opinion, one's truth may melt into nothing. Not very reassuring, is it? If there is no absolute truth, then we can't be sure of anything, either for life here on earth or for our eternal future.
Thankfully, there is truth which is rock-solid. It is unaffected by time, circumstances, or what others say. Isaiah writes: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever" (40:8). The Lord promises: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35). Don't let Satan cause you to doubt God's truth. Don't be intimidated by the world's ranting denials of the truth of the Word. "Let God be true, and every man a liar" (Romans 3:4). It is still true that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. It is also just as true that Jesus has reconciled the entire world to God by His holy, perfect life in our behalf and by His full payment for sin on the cross. There are many things we may not be sure of, but lives built on God's truth are grounded on the Rock which nothing will ever shake.
O Lord, let this Thy little flock,
Thy name alone confessing,
Continue in Thy loving care,
True unity possessing.
Thy Sacraments, O Lord,
And Thy saving Word
To us e'er pure retain.
Grant that they may remain
Our only strength and comfort.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 477:2)
