We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. (1 John 4:6)
In 2016, Oxford Dictionary published their word of the year: post-truth. Basically, what they recognized was that in our culture, truth has become of little value. You can see this in all facets of society. Spinning truth to look better or to get ahead in life has become the new reality. Walking in truth, whether convenient or not, is no longer something to keep one’s life grounded and on the right track. Those who jettison truth for convenience have forgotten one thing: truth doesn’t ultimately bend to fit our reality. Truth is where God lives, and he cannot be mocked. No one can spin truth and get away with it.
An ambassador is someone who speaks on behalf of the person whose name they represent. God’s kingdom is no different, whatsoever. If someone comes in the name of God, they are, in fact, given full authority of his kingdom. What is the basis of that authority? Truth. John told us that we will recognize that someone has come from God, if they walk in truth. In other words, if someone shows you where you are not obeying the words of Scripture and encourages you to obey God, they are indeed from God. If you choose to reject that person, you have ultimately rejected God. If you receive that person, you not only receive the truth, but you also receive God.
Believe that God is truth and his people are to proclaim that truth.
Devon Smith is district superintendent of the Tri-State District of The Wesleyan Church, and founder/director of the CROSS Training ordination program at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
