Accepting God's Truth

Scripture: This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. Acts 7:35

Observation: As Stephen continues his account of Moses' history, he provides this explanation about two details. He has shown that the Israelites rejected Moses as their ruler, but that now God himself has appointed Moses as their ruler. He goes on to show that it was Moses himself who declared that another like him will someday come to lead the people, and further demonstrates that Israel has a history of rejecting the Lord and the warnings of the prophets.

In other words, Stephen is clearly stating that declaring Jesus as Messiah is not opposed to the law of Moses, but rather the fulfillment of the law. He is also stating there is no wonder the Sanhedrin leadership is choosing to reject the truth Jesus, for it was actually the Jews who rejected Moses as their deliverer in Egypt and then rejected his teaching and laws themselves.

Stephen stands accused of rejecting the law of Moses by accepting Jesus. Stephen makes it clear that he accepts Jesus in order to fully embrace the laws and precepts of Moses. Furthermore, he accepts the prophesy of Moses, which the Jewish leaders are rejecting.

Application: I was considering "truth" yesterday again, from the perspective of what can absolutely be known as true. This question, in my mind, comes down to only one core tenant ... does a person believe in the sovereign Lord, God almighty, creator of heaven and earth? If so, then the word of God, and even the nature of the created universe, is a given truth to be used to evaluate all other facts. However, if not, then there can be no yardstick to create a common understanding of truth.

And that is when everyone creates their own truth. The Sanhedrin had done this - created their own truth - even in the context of God's law. By selecting the prescriptive ritualistic elements of that law, and rejecting the prophetic words throughout their scriptures, they had created a truth based on actions, and not based on faith.

I must not have "my" truth. Even if I think my thoughts align to God's word, I must not create a scenario where I select elements of God's word because they align to my worldview. I must instead settle on this one truth ... the Lord is the almighty God. I am grateful that he is a God of love who has provided a means to a relationship with him by faith in Jesus. However, all that means I must and will obey his commands and precepts. I must learn his word and listen to his instructions. I don't get to cherry-pick my favorite passages about love and provision and salvation and hope, but ignore those about compassion and sacrifice and prayer and honor.

There is a definitive truth, and it is only from that truth that all other aspects of the world should be considered. It is God's truth I must use as the lens through which I see and interact with the world and everyone in it, every day.

Prayer: Yahweh, you are the great and glorious Lord of heaven and earth. All honor, glory, worship, and praise are yours. May your words and precepts and commands be ever on my mind and on my lips and in my heart. This is the center of my life, and the core of my very existence, which you gave me in the first place. Praise be to your name forever and ever! Amen, and amen.