Jesus is the way the truth and the life Part 2 4/19/15

 

From www.untilallarereached.com

Text: John 14:1-7

Last week we discussed how Jesus is the way. He is the way for us to walk in. Not simply directions to Heaven, but the very way we are to walk in as we live in Jesus, he becomes our way. But the second statement that Jesus is the truth sheds light on the first. If Jesus is not the truth, then the way would not be worth walking in. If Jesus is not the truth then why would we even consider pursuing the WAY.

We have looked at the resurrection of Jesus Christ in recent weeks, and it is objective truth that Jesus rose from the dead; he appeared to the disciples and to over 500 people. It is a historic proven fact that Jesus rose from the dead. If that were not so, we would not have any hope. I certainly would not be standing here preaching to you about the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. If this is not truth then we are hopelessly lost as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:19.

But we serve a risen savior, as we develop a personal relationship with Jesus, we discover the way to God that puts our entire existence into perspective. This truth, gives our lives a purpose both here and now, and for eternity.

When Jesus said that he is the truth, he was not simply stating that he was speaking the truth, but much like we saw last week, Jesus is the truth. He does not simply point the way to truth, but he personifies it (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament and the truth regarding the future salvation of all those who trust in him.

Later in the Gospel of John we have a wonderful picture of what the truth is and does. Jesus praying for his disciples in John 17:16 -17; “16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Now we know from John 1:1 -2 that John refers to Jesus as the Word, so Jesus is praying to the Father, asking for him to sanctify them by the truth, and then he goes on to pray “your word is truth” Jesus is the truth – God incarnate.

It is also interesting to note that John does not use the adjective, “your word is true”, but rather he uses the noun form of the word, “your word is truth” Making it clear that God’s word is not simply true, it is truth itself.

But Jesus prays for God the father to sanctify the disciples by the word which is truth. To be sanctified is to be holy and completely separated unto Christ. Done with the things of sin and the flesh. But sanctification will only be perfected when we are united with Christ when he returns. We are not instantly transformed into perfectly holy people when we make a decision to follow Jesus as our Lord and savior. I wish that was the case, but we are all painfully aware that we are still prone to sin, we are not perfect people by any means. But as we walk with Jesus as the way, and allow the Word of truth to wash over our lives we become more like Christ. The process of sanctification is easy to gauge. Are you more like Jesus today than you were this time last year? If not, you probably need to get back on the path that God has for you.

Another example of this is found in Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church in ch 5 and verse 25-26;

What Paul is talking about here is the process of sanctification of the church. How is the church to be sanctified. The church is the bride of Christ and as such, it is being prepared and sanctified. Paul is clear that the process of sanctification takes place by the declaration or preaching of the word of God. The Bible is the Word of God and as we hear through preaching, reading and meditating on the word of God, we are sanctified (Hebrews 4:12).

In order to build a brick construction building, builders use a plumb line in order to ensure that the wall goes up straight and true. A true wall is not prone to fall over or buckle. It is the same with our individual lives, if we are building on the Word of God, allowing God to sanctify us by the washing of the word, we become strong in our faith and not prone to buckling or falling. The word is our plumb line – are we reading it?

From www.untilallarereached.comHow often are you reading the word of God? Are you making a point every day to be reading and meditating on the word of God? Allowing the word of God to wash over you and sanctify you with the truth.

Or are you rather reading books about the Bible, Christians in the 21st century have such a plethora of written material about the Word of God, they love to read and discuss these books, but many of them are not reading the word of God for themselves. This leads to the danger of false teaching and deviating from the truth. If we don’t know the word of God, we are very vulnerable to those who want to manipulate the Bible for their own gain.

But don’t simply know the word of God, apply the Word of God. Be students of the text, but ensure that the text penetrates your heart and transforms your life by allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of the text to you.

Let us become people of the Word who walk in the WAY.