Truth In The Psalms Stemming From The Third Epistle Of John To Gaius About Truth

TRUTH IN THE PSALMS STEMMING FROM THE THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN TO GAIUS ABOUT TRUTH

This message/study is in conjunction with 3John and walking in truth. That one is found here - https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/three-men-and-a-church-now-what-is-the-result-3rd-letter-of-john-ron-ferguson-sermon-on-truth-278579?_gl=1*1bt9fhh*_ga*MjYwMTc0OTI3LjE2NzE2NDA1ODM.*_ga_TRT0ERDR3P*MTcwNjIwMTk4OS41MDYuMS4xNzA2MjAyMDAzLjQ2LjAuMA..

In the third letter of John written to Gaius, the Apostle majors on truth. This word, “truth” is so easily set aside in our days and has become an empty word. Man’s wickedness has increased enormously so that truth has become causality.

A former Premier of Queensland, Australia, Peter Beattie, authorised/legalised that it was now legitimate for politicians to lie in the Queensland Parliament. It is confirmed here -(https://www.theage.com.au/national/mps-cleared-to-lie-in-parliament-20060526-ge2e8o.html) That is true. Truth has died. It has been trashed. It has become the victim of growing departure from God.

In Isaiah's own time something similar had happened that caused the prophet great distress. He wrote this – {{Isaiah 59:14-15 “Justice is turned back and righteousness stands far away FOR TRUTH HAS STUMBLED IN THE STREET, and uprightness cannot enter. Yes, TRUTH IS LACKING and he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey. Now the LORD saw, and it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice.”}}

Jesus revealed this - {{John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, AND THE TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.”}} Truth is essential to God. Without truth there could not be God for there would be no definite absolute for all of existence. God is true and so must be His followers. Falsehood belongs to the world, not to Christians. The world embraces untruths and falsity because its father is the one called a liar – {{John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, AND DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF LIES.”}}

When I was thinking into the message on Gaius in the third letter of John, I was impressed with how often John makes reference to the truth in his letters. Indeed he does it too in his Gospel. The apostle must have been really impressed with the words the Lord taught about truth. I decided to put together an article on TRUTH as it is found in the Psalms. This is what you might call, “Truth in Singing”. Let us look at these references.

[A]. SPEAKING TRUTH AND THINKING OF IT WITHIN

{{Psalm 15:1-2 “O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, AND SPEAKS TRUTH IN HIS HEART.”}}

Here a question is asked and answered. Just to make it plainer the psalmist is asking who can ever come into God’s presence. God is an awesome God and a consuming fire. Imagine falling into the sun. An unrighteous man, if he could literally enter the presence of God, would be the same as the hapless individual falling into the sun.

There is a threefold answer to the questions asked. The only ones qualified to come into the presence of God must meet the three criteria mentioned in the answer. Now we need to be very clear about this. The answer is integrity, righteousness and truth. Those three qualities must be possessed, but the word of God says this – {{Romans 3:10-11 as it is written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, not even one. There is none who understands. THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD.”}}

That leaves man in a dilemma because how can anyone come into the presence of God? And that is the core of the gospel. Jesus was our substitute so that by His death we enter into life. When we are converted we then have our unrighteousness exchanged for the righteousness of God. The Holy Spirit of truth dwells with us and leads us into all truth. We have a new nature and God’s integrity is given by the Holy Spirit.

The last part of verse 2 may look a bit odd “speaks truth in his heart”. God’s Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are the children of God. We have an internal witness and confirmation of the truth in our hearts. That is what it means.

[B]. A REQUEST TO KNOW THE TRUTH - A NOBLE SENTIMENT

{{Psalm 25:4-5 “Make me know Your ways, O LORD. Teach me Your paths. LEAD ME IN YOUR TRUTH and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation. For You I wait all the day.”}}

This is a request for continued truthfulness. The psalmist has a sincere desire for several things, all of which are godly intentions. He wants to know God’s ways. He wants to be taught what God’s paths are. He wants God’s truth to lead him and guide him. Then he ends the request saying he waits all day long for God. This is a testimony about walking in the truth as Gaius was doing.