Truth is For Doing
- Jeff Kent
- Oct 6
- 2 min read
Jesus taught the importance and absolute necessity in knowing truth: “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32). As a result, we search the word of Christ, the Bible, to know what that truth is. We search to know the word of God, the doctrine of Christ, and the truth of the Spirit. We have developed that desire to know the truth, and well we should.
However, in our diligent search to know the truth, we must realize that truth has a purpose. Truth isn’t simply knowledge to be accumulated, but action in which to be engaged. Truth is for doing. Jesus said as much in His discourse in which He declared God’s love for a lost world (John 3:16). He went on to say that Light had come into the world and that those who practiced evil would shun that Light while those who practiced truth would come to it. (The NKJV has “But he who does the truth...) Sermons and Bible studies are necessary and Christ-honoring, but when we don’t put into practice what we learn, we just show our insincerity and the idols in our hearts.
If we learn the truth to love our neighbor, but never lift a finger nor give a dollar to help anybody, have we done the truth?
If we learn the truth to forgive each one who has wronged us, but still harbor grudges and bitterness, have we done the truth?
If we learn the truth that the Lord calls us to assemble around His table on the Lord’s Day with other believers, and we regularly choose to do other things during that time, have we done the truth?
If we learn the truth that slander and gossip are evils but we continue to engage in such talk, have we done the truth?
If we learn that we need to pray regularly and do our own study of Scripture, but do neither of those things, have we done the truth?
If we learn that Christ wants us to spread the gospel to the lost and to bring back erring sheep, and we never make any attempt to do those things, have we done the truth?
Truth is for learning and also for doing.
And that’s the truth!
><> Jeff