Around Old Bethany: A Story of the Adventures of Robert and Mary DavisBerry, R. L. (Robert Lee)
Religion
Around Old Bethany: A Story of the Adventures of Robert and Mary Davis
Berry, R. L. (Robert Lee)
Christian fiction; Church of God (Anderson, Ind.) -- Fiction
"Vast importance is attached to this truth. Opposed to it are error,
heresy, damnable doctrines of devils, human theories and philosophies,
leading souls away from God and into perdition. The eternal destiny of
men depends upon their finding and embracing the truth.
"If so much depends upon our finding the truth and obeying it, the
important question arises--how and where are we to find the truth? And
another question follows: How are we to discern the truth when we see
it? It is a fact that most religious people believe that their system
of religion is right. They already think that it is the truth;
even the most destructive doctrines are received as truth, and some
scripture is misapplied or perverted to uphold them. By what means may
the false be determined and rejected, and the true be established and
accepted? These are very important questions.
"There must be a starting-point. In the first place, 'What is truth?'
as Pilate put it. 'Thy word is truth' (John 17:17) said Jesus. This
is basic. The Word of God is truth. 'All scripture is given by
inspiration of God' (2 Tim. 3:16). God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible
are truth. If we confirm to the divine will, we are bound to be right,
and elected to eternal glory in the heavens; if not, we are doomed to
eternal damnation.
"But, there is no more striking fact than this, that spiritual truths
require more than intellect in order to grasp and comprehend them.
'For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man
which is in him?' (1 Cor. 2:11). A man knows the things of a man
because he is a man. Common experiences join him to his fellows, and
he understands them. 'Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but
the spirit of God.... But the natural man receiveth not the things of
the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he
know them, because they are spiritually discerned' (1 Cor. 2:11,14).
Man then, must get in contact with God, through the Holy Spirit, if he
is to know spiritual truth.
"Jesus tells just how to know the truth. 'If any man will do his will,
he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I
speak of myself (John 7:17). The way to know is to obey. 'Howbeit when
he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth'
(John 16:13).
"The secret then is out, it is as plain as day. It is this--Jesus
brought the truth to the world, and the Holy Spirit is everywhere
present to lead men into that truth. Wherever and whenever a person
desires to know the truth that he may obey it, there the Spirit of
God will be to enlighten and to lead. The Spirit will lead unerringly
every soul who wants the truth and will submit to His leadership. He
will lead the sinner to sincere and genuine repentance, the believer
into true sanctification, and also into the deeper experiences of
sanctification and love, and into a true Christian life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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