Seek the Truth

(Titus 1:12-14 – Seek the Truth)

If there is one thing that we see over and over again in the scriptures, it is the need to seek the truth.

It was necessary back in the days of the early church when the message was still pure. However today the message has become polluted. The broad church has been inundated with false teachings and false doctrines since the very early days. The truth has been pushed aside by teachings that suit the whims of men rather than the will of God.

But the truth is still there to be found. To find the truth you must seek the truth diligently. Look to Christ because He is the source of all truth and you can find the truth.

Generalisations will always be wrong

We see in these words of scripture I am looking at today that there was a great generalisation. And it was false.

12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 instead of giving heed to Jewish myths or to commands of men who reject the truth. (Titus 1:12-14)

The opening statement says that, “All Cretans are liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This is a generalisation and a judgement against the whole population and history of the people of Create. And it is not the truth. It is a falsehood and a lie.

Every generalisation falls into the same boat. They are never true, so they should be avoided and rejected.

If we are to seek the truth we must look beyond generalisations. We must look at people as individuals, not part of the herd, because even in a herd, the individual members of the herd are different. The truth is found in one to one connections, not in generalisations.

Statisticians and politicians and businesses like to use generalisations to simplify their work. It is easy to see people as a group or a herd, rather than deal with them one to one. But it relies on adequate and accurate data.

And sometimes they get it badly wrong.

I recall a number of recent elections where the pollsters got it completely wrong. Polls are a mass generalisation and only look at a section of the population. They do not have the complete picture, just a snapshot of a few people.

So we cannot generalise and judge people by the attitudes, actions, and behaviours of a few. This is especially true when it comes to the things of God and the message of Jesus Christ.

God seeks the individual

When God deals with His people, He works with us as individuals. He doesn’t use the data relating to the broad population. He doesn’t use the data even of other people in our church or even our immediate circle of friends.

God deals with us as if we were the only people in existence. Consider these words.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)

Look at the level of detail that the Father knows about you and me as individuals. Even every hair on your head is uniquely numbered and known to Him.

The scripture also shows that not even a single sparrow will die unless it is the Father’s will. And it says that we are of so much more precious than many, many sparrows in God’s sight.

The data that God has on each of us is evidence of His love for us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Consider this too.

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

God knows us to the depth of our heart, soul, and spirit. Every thought, every desire, every passion, every hope that we hold is laid bear and open to the Father.

God does not generalise when dealing with His people. He works with us as individuals, and so He can help us in the way that works for us to bring us to the truth.

Seek the Truth

So, knowing that God works with us as individuals, it becomes more important to seek the truth. He knows how to show it to us so that we can understand, but we have to first seek the truth. When we do seek the truth, God has promised to show it to us.

7 “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

There is a promise in these words. God said that if you seek, you WILL find. And if you ask, it WILL be given to you. And if you knock, it WILL be opened up to you.

In the mess of what is taught as truth in the broad church today, it is comforting to know these promises still exist. God promised these things through Jesus two thousand years ago, but the promises are still open to us today. Avail yourself of God’s promises and seek the truth so that you can learn all you need and receive His gift of salvation.

The scripture today ends by warning us not to be, “…giving heed to Jewish myths or to commands of men who reject the truth.”

These things still exist in the church today. There are those who still follow the tenets of Judaism, much of which has been warped from the original, rather than following Christ.

But it is the second part of this verse that is most prevalent today. People are following the commands of, “…men who reject the truth.” Across the broad church there are people who have set themselves us as heads of churches and who command their followers to believe certain things and do certain things. And many of their commands have no basis in the scriptures.

They seem to have forgotten or ignored the fact that the church is not theirs to do with as they please. The church and the flock belongs to Jesus Christ. It is God’s church and no man has the right to consider it otherwise.

The flock who seek the truth will follow Jesus. He said that:

24 So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. (John 10:24-29)

If you are seeking the truth, then Jesus will speak it to you in a way you can hear and understand. The truth will become clear to you so you can grow.

And we must find the truth. From a simple logical point of view, what value is there in following lies? Will a lie commend us to God? Is it not the devil who is the father of lies and all liars?

Contrary to what is taught in some places, specifically in the teachings of so-called Progressive Christianity, there is only one path to God. There is only one path to life. There is only one way to find the truth if we truly want to seek the truth.

Jesus said, “I am the way, I am the truth, and I am the life.” Jesus is the truth and there is no other way to find the truth except through Him and His words. If anyone suggests otherwise, they are victims of the lies of the devil and should be rejected.

Seek the truth because only knowing the truth will lead to life.

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