By: Lisa Wilmore
While sitting in one of the offices in the place God has afforded me an opportunity to work, I noticed a sign positioned on the wall with the statement, “Want to be trusted, tell the truth”. To my amazement, I had prepared a bible lesson the night before for the youth at my church entitled, “What is truth?” God enlightened my heart and I am excited to share the “truth” with you.
To begin with, the truth is, if Christ is not accepted in your hearts, you will not inherit eternal life. It does not matter how many times you give to the poor, sacrifice your time for the cause of the church, attend worship services, or any other good works you engage in throughout the community, you will not be saved from the wrath of God. In the book of Revelation, John, the Apostle, records his vision at the final judgement. He records the opening of the books. The book of life contained the names of those who trusted Jesus to save them. He also writes, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
With this in mind, persons in our community, civic organizations, homes and our churches must be told the truth-not a watered-down truth, but the absolute truth. In fact, the truth must be shared with everyone. Their political or popular status in our society does not matter. It is unfair to everyone for the truth to be compromised and distorted for whatever the reasons may be.
When misrepresentation of the truth occurs, it causes distrust and doubt in the individual’s verbal or written messages. Are you guilty of not telling people the truth, even if it hurts them? Dear hearts, an important fact to remember is, “If you want to be trusted, tell people the truth.”
In addition, Jesus affirms that he is truth. According to John, he says to his disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Likewise, we must also proclaim who he is.
In the final analysis, those persons that God has given a voice or platform, must tell listeners and readers the truth. It is of utmost importance that the truth is shared with those who will listen as well as those who refuse to do so. Let them know “For wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). That is the truth.
