Practical Result and Benefit of Truth/Faith versus Opinions/Assumptions
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In the prior three Blog Posts we compared the very common confusion of mistaking assumptions for faith and opinions for truth – here we look at the daily practical implications of these differences. And while it should be obvious that truths (to the degree we believe in them) will result in better decisions than those based on mere opinions, what is maybe not so evident is that knowing truths, in very many cases, eliminates the need for decisions altogether. For where we know a truth (or think we know a truth), and choose to act on this truth, we will typically know the related answer(s) versus having to make decisions. This will minimize the chance of errors since, in each case we have to make a decision we risk making a mistake. In other words, to the extent that every decision provides an opportunity for a mistake, the fewer decisions we have to make will reduce our possibility of error.
As one of many possible examples: to the extent a person believes it is true adultery is incompatible with love, and therefore wrong, they will not be conflicted in making a decision on committing this act. This is not a fool-proof safeguard and assurance against adultery, but it should certainly and logically dramatically reduce its odds of occurring. We may act in a manner we know is against the truth, but in most cases we do this by playing mental games and making excuses “in this case . . .”
In A Very Big Difference! I Believe or I Assume? we concluded with:
Have we been assuming what we have heard about Jesus (and what He says) is true or can we say we both know and believe in Jesus, in the manner outlined in the Bible, with a true and saving faith? This is without question the ultimate and defining question of life.
And in Making Decisions Based on Opinions or Truths? A Very Big Difference! we ended with:
What will we say when our personal end-time comes (and it is coming soon!)? What will we offer as an excuse if we fail to take this great gift [the Bible] of God’s Grace – if we do not care enough about what God tells us in His Word to read it? Just imagine the true value of this offered gift – not only is it God’s Word, but He makes it personal to every Christian! Likewise, picture the consequences (now and eternally) of ignoring this great gift.
Assumptions – Opinions • Sand or Truth – Faith • Solid Rock
Which best defines your life?
In this Post we look at the power of truths lived (the Practical Result and Benefit of Truth/Faith versus Opinions/Assumptions):
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jn 8:31-32
“Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” Jn 3:21
In contrast, to the religious elite (who were very smart and well educated) of His day, Jesus said:
Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? Mt 22:29
For truths themselves hold no inherent power – there is, however, power of truths lived because these truths come by Faith through Grace.
Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Jn 1:14 & 17
These truths and Christ’s promises of His Grace for us to live them (and the warnings about the many practical dangers and temptations of life attempting to lead us astray) appear in their perfect way only in the Bible. Jesus also said/warned:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” Jn 14:15 - 21
If, on the other hand, we reject Jesus and His Word (we cannot truly and practically have one without the other!), we choose to take the chance that we can, without knowledge of what the Bible tells us, decide and design what we think will better please Christ – an arrogant and dangerous approach.
So, to summarize, in the words of Jesus:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Mt 7:24-27
Or, in a “picture:”
Sand: Pride • Self • Opinions • Assumptions • Decisions • Weakness
Rock: Humility • Grace • Truth • Faith • Answers • Power
The rock: “everyone who hears these words of mine (Christ Jesus)
and puts them into practice.”