WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS …
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness….(Preamble to the Declaration of Independence in Congress, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America)
TODAY’S REFERENCE: John 18:33-38
33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”
Some may contend that those “truths” in the Declaration are not absolute, but, written in the Word of God, are some inalienable truths with which all mankind is endowed. As we hold His truths, we are able to function productively in society. To hold means: to possess; grasp; embrace; grip; clasp. Since the time of Pilate’s question, controversies have arisen as to the meaning of the word truth. Some say truth is relative while others say it is absolute. God’s Word gives clarity based on irrefutable, uncompromising facts. Even Science affirms the following truths.
- Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.”
- Eccl. 3:1 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven…
- Matthew 5:45 … His sun rises on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
- John 12:24… unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but
if it dies, it produces much grain.
- Heb. 9:27 … it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,…
We have this testimony that God keeps His promises. Since we live in the reality of the foregoing scientific facts, we must conclude that the entire Bible is true. Remind Him of His word, not because He has forgotten, but it brings Him pleasure to see that we are connecting the dots. Grasp, secure, and possess His words because they are life and health to us. (Proverbs 4:22).
We have all experienced situations in which we needed the truth to be revealed. At those times, we really do not focus on the relevance of other situations, we just want the truth to be told. We want to apply facts. For example: Ice is cold; Fire is hot: Water is wet. Neither time nor reason can alter those facts.
If we are offered a pill to de-stress us, we gladly gravitate towards taking it. God’s word has more far-reaching effects than pills. Do you need a map to navigate your way through life? The standard by which we can be blessed has been given in the word of God, should we hold His truths that are expressed in the following references:
- John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
- Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
- John 14: 2, 3 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
- 1 Thess. 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
- 2 Peter 1:3-9 ,,, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises…, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, ….
When we embrace what God has said, we too can declare, “We hold these truths”: The Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) created us triune beings (spirit, soul and body) and has given us truths whereby we can live. The word is the only authentic source of man’s origin and his ultimate end. Its accuracy has been tested throughout the annals of time. Skeptics have tried to dis-annul it, yet it has been proven to be on-target for man’s existence. All efforts have been futile. On the contrary, many of these efforts have resulted in conversions and belief in the Supreme Being, God. Sad to say, there are Believers who have chosen the parts of the Bible that they want to believe. Why should we short-change ourselves? It’s ALL or NONE! There is nothing to lose, except erroneous belief.
The Word purports moral codes that make for a better society. The Golden Rule (Gold depicts endurance): Do to others as you would have them do to you. is promoted even by those who claim no belief in the Bible. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 2-17), echo the basis of many governments for their rules and regulations. Although the Word is sometimes tweaked to satisfy man’s inherent, sinful nature, it does not lose its authenticity and God cannot lie.
We hold the truths of the Bible that tells of mankind’s need of a Savior and the eminent return of this Savior. As evil escalates in the world we are reminded that our redemption is near. Yes, we wandered and did our own thing, but our loving Father sent His Son, Jesus, to redeem us. Embrace God’s truths and live the blessed life:
- Isaiah 53:5 By His stripes we are healed.
- Hebrews 13:5 He will never leave us nor forsake us.
- Psalm 139:14 We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
- Isaiah 26:3 He will keep us in perfect peace, if we keep our minds on Him.
- Jeremiah 1:12 He hurries to perform His word.
Remember, doctors tell us what is happening on the inside and we act accordingly. not having seen our internal organs. Why not believe the report of the Great Physician? It requires similar faith. In this world of vast turmoil, WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS (God’s truths). Access them and lose: fear, doubt, anxiety, depression and hopelessness.
Our quest for knowledge can be enhanced by exploring the truth of God’s word. Let us focus our gaze on the truths that lead to an invaluable relationship with Christ. ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL with UNALIENABLE RIGHTS. WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS.
Dr. O. A. James
REFLECTION
Tell of a time when the truth was told and it clarified a misconception.