All scriptures listed are found in the King James Version unless otherwise noted.
As stated in the last post we are about to begin focusing on the good things we should think upon which Paul listed in Philippians 4:8. The very first attribute listed is whatever is true. What is true? What do you consider to be true? According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, truth is anything that is in accordance with the actual state or conditions; conforming to reality or fact. Not false but real, genuine, authentic, sincere.
Since man perceives truth to be what is factual, truth takes on many different appearances. For some, truth is based on past experience or previous observations. For some truth is what they hear from a source they consider to be reliable and full of wisdom. For others, truth is what is found in the various textbooks they study and the words of the notable Professors who teach them. Overall truth is a woven tapestry of understandings and conclusions one decides upon with the influence of peers, personal study and opinions.
And so, what is true varies from person to person. However, in all reality truth is something that will stand forever. Facts change depending on the circumstances, anyone who has studied science knows that what is believed to be considered fact changes as scientists learn more and more. Truth does not change. It is what it is and it will always be. Though man searches for the real meaning of life, in all their gained and self-professed wisdom, the Bible says they become fools (Romans 1:22) for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (I Corinthians 3:19). Why is this? Because we have been given the truth in the form of the Word of God and when we reject it, we reject truth. How do we know that it is true? Because it is eternal. Psalm 119:89 tells us “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in Heaven” and Matthew 24:25 says though “heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Truly the “Word of the Lord endureth forever" (I Peter 1:25). Because the words of the Lord will never fade we can depend on them to be true.
And so in confidence we can know and trust that the words written within the Holy Book can be depended on. On top of that, His Word confirms it is true. Psalm 119:160 (NKJV) – “The entirety of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endure forever.” and Psalm 33:4 – “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.” The Bible tells us about God who is true. Deuteronomy 32:4 – “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgement; a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” and II Samuel 7:28 – “And now, O Lord God, thou are that God, and thy words be true, and thou has promised this goodness unto thy servant.” We learn Jesus Christ who was God manifested in the flesh is true. John 1:14 – “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” and John 14:6 – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” And finally, we learn that all of the promises contained in the Word of God are true. I Kings 8:56 – “Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that he promised; there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant” and those promises are for us. II Peter 1:4 – “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of divine nature, having escaped corruption that is in the world through lust.”
It is upon this firm foundation of truth where we can proceed forward in understanding and accepting all of the promises, and there are so many, God is offering to us.
Promises like:
- Eternal Life - “And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life.” I John 2:25 (KJV) See also John 3:15
- Salvation - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
- The gift of the Holy Ghost, also salvation – “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and the all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:38-39
- A promise of answered prayers – “Therefore I saw unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24
- A promise that our physical needs will be met – “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 See also Psalm 37:3
- That through faith (which comes by prayer & fasting) our obstacles will be removed – “And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:20 – 21 See also Luke 17:6
- There are promises of peace & security – “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 See also Psalm 29:11
- Promises of deliverance for those who live for Him – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of all of them.” Psalm 34:19 See also II Peter 2:9
- Promises of Joy – “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 See also Psalm 30:5
- A promise that those who seek Him will find Him – “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29 See also Luke 11:9
- And promises of escaping temptation & defeating the enemy – “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) and “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
I know this list is lengthy but the truth is (no pun intended) that the promises of God for those who seek to live for Him are endless. And let’s be honest, it’s hard to read through a lists of promises such as these, knowing that they are true, without feeling renewed and encouraged. Understanding that the true God who is full of love, mercy and grace and is for us in every aspect of our life causes us, or hopefully causes us, to look at life with a new perspective. Sure, maybe a negative mindset can be justified but that is kicked to the curb when you realize that God is on our side. And we’re just getting started!
Click here for Part Three – Whatever is Honest.
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