We have all heard the story of the terminally ill patient whose family and doctors spared him the truth concerning his condition, so that he would not be obsessed with the thought of dying. While some may prefer not knowing, there are others of us who, sensing the secrecy, would plead with our doctors, “Please, tell me the truth, whatever it is; I can take it, and, if I am dying, I want to use the time I have left, to prepare.”
How important is truth to you? If there is a truth that affects you, maybe in a negative way, do you want to hear it, or would you prefer to live in the bliss of ignorance until it overtakes you? There are two realms in which this scenario is quite common. The first, the physical realm, often involves the health of an individual, as described above. In the second, or, spiritual realm, the decision is no less a matter of life or death, though it is spiritual. While knowing the truth in the physical scenario will affect the remaining days, months or years of our lives, in the spiritual realm, knowing the truth will most certainly affect our eternity. When God created man, the Bible says that, “He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7).” …and the scriptures are abundantly clear that living souls will go on living forever somewhere, even after the body grows weary and retires.
God, the giver and sustainer of life in both realms, wants you to know the truth, so that you can be prepared for your future. When Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17, He made this interesting comment, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17).” God has Himself provided the truth that will be necessary for you to prepare for your future; it is written in His book, the Bible. If you will simply peruse its pages, “…ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)”
Here it is—the truth: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)” “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)” “Jesus saith, …I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)”