The Exact Truth!

Monday morning, October 15, 2007
Luke begins his “gospel” with this rather interesting introduction: “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4; emphasis added). I say this is rather interesting, not because Luke decided to write his own account of the good news of Jesus, but because of his reason for writing it—to reveal the exact truth about what had been taught.
From what I have been able to observe, it seems that few believers are really interested in knowing the exact truth concerning the gospel, as is evidenced by the fact that most seem to be completely satisfied with whatever pious pabulum they are fed by the teachers of their chosen denomination.
Folks, I have some breaking news: there is but ONE true gospel! Unfortunately, however, we seem to be more interested in protecting what our “chosen denomination” holds as truth, than we are in seeking to know the exact truth—the one true gospel! Admittedly, it is much easier to trust another to tell us what we are supposed to believe, than it is to be a serious student of God’s Word, one who refuses to settle for anything less than the exact truth; however, as John indicated in the first of his letters—there are many false prophets, who teach from the influence of the spirit of antichrist (see 1 John 4:1f). Obviously, then, if someone chooses to allow another to determine what he believes concerning the gospel, it is very important that he be able to test the spirits; otherwise, he is easily deceived, which, by the way, is one of the characteristics of laziness!
For John, the litmus test for determining the trustworthiness of a spirit is very simple: “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, . . .” (1 John 4:2-3a). Sadly, many have interpreted this to mean that the exact truth of the gospel is this: believe in Jesus. Obviously, we must believe in Jesus BUT what is it that we must believe, when we believe in Him? In verse 2, John gives us this bit of added insight, when he tells us that every spirit that confesses that Jesus has come in the flesh, is from God, BUT what does confessing that Jesus has come in the flesh involve? Surely, it involves more than the mere words—Jesus has come in the flesh! Just for the record: our confessing what we believe involves much more than a mere recitation of someone’s prepared “confession.”
Before I run out of space, let me tell you that the MO of the spirit of the antichrist is NOT what most think, as he is stupid but not dumb. His MO is to take error and make it look so much like truth, that it is taken for truth by the vulnerable, and I might add—he is well-aware of who the vulnerable are. For example, if you are struggling with some area of your life, with you back against the wall, he knows it, and he also knows that you will be quick to “buy” what he has to offer, even though it is error and far, far removed from the exact truth!
Do remember this: “You are from God, . . ., and have overcome them [the spirits of antichrist]; because greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world” (vs. 4). Be encouraged!!