Article of the Month

February

The Price of Truth
Wade E Taylor

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:14

If the Lord had made spirituality attractive and easy to attain, multitudes would have followed Him, but never attain to a personal knowledge of Jesus Himself.  The road to intimacy with Jesus will lead us through the cross, our being made “conformable to His death.”

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death.”  Philippians 3:10

There have been times of “visitation” in which the manifest presence of the Lord has substantially increased.  During one of these times, the word spread and many came to receive a blessing.  But soon after the visitation lifted, the visitors were gone and there was a return to the normal attendance.  There had been a time of intense preparation within those who were committed, but the visitors only came for the “desert” and received accordingly.

There is a vast difference between a prophet and a politician.  The term “grass roots” refers to going out among large groups of people and discovering what they desire.  The politician then offers what the majority wants, and as a result, becomes popular and is elected.  In other words, the politician seeks out which way the majority is going.  Then he stands in front of them and says, “Follow me.”

But the prophet stands alone and says, “You are going the wrong way, turn around.”  The politician is ever popular because he relates to the majority.  The prophet is never popular because his word is costly and requires change.  People often are deceived because they choose that which is presently comfortable, rather than being willing to pay the price of “Truth.”

“Whereas he who was ignorant and did what deserves a beating, will receive few lashes.  He who has much given to him will have much required from him, and he who has much trusted to him will have all the more demanded of him.”  Luke 12:48  Moffitt

“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”  Hebrews 12:6

The truth is costly and often, the result is not seen.  But to choose less, in the long run, is much more costly.

“His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your Lord.”  Matthew 25:23

This “faithfulness” relates to “patience.”  Notice that the word says “well done,” not “much done.”  It is not “what we do” that will be rewarded, rather it is the heart intent behind what we do, which will produce a change within us.  It is this change, our being conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus, that will be rewarded.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6

Those who continually look for “something for nothing” are open to deception.  Many of these will compromise, rather than submit to the Lord’s way.  He works very slowly, but very thoroughly, as He is more interested in what we are becoming, than in what we do.

Our “self” will always seek comfort and ease of life.  The enemy of our spiritual lives also sought for his personal gain.

“For you have said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north; I will go up above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”  Isaiah 14:13-14

Satan sought his own will and comfort – “I will.”  Jesus always said, “Thy will be done.” He never acted on His own, or sought His own gain and comfort.

After Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened and the Father spoke, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”  The Holy Spirit descended upon Him, and the approbation, or, the favor of God, rested upon Him.

But immediately, He was led into the wilderness where He was tested for forty days. At the end of this time, Jesus became intensely hungry and the enemy came to remind Him that He was very capable of doing something about this intense hunger.  Jesus refused, saying that His Father had not told Him to do so.

Each of us “hungers” for all kinds of things.  We can submit these “hungers” to the will of God, as Jesus did, when He said, – “It is written.”  Or, we can act on our own, seeking self-satisfaction.  In effect, Satan said, “If you are the Son of God, you do not need to be hungry, therefore, You should do something about it.”

Satan acted very concerned and may have shed some sympathy tears about the hunger that Jesus was experiencing.  But in truth, he would have viciously turned on Jesus, just as soon as He attempted to satisfy His hunger, and then say to Him,  “I hungered for prestige and popularity.  I wanted to be seen and heard and I acted on it, (I will ascend) now, You cannot judge me as You are no different than I, as You acted on your hunger.”

If Jesus had failed this simple but profound test, it would have resulted in His becoming disqualified to become our Saviour.  Rather, Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word  ...”  Later, the angels came and fed Him a much better meal.

Jesus said, “I do nothing of myself.” (John 8:28b).  This tells us that Jesus walked on water because He had a word to do so. Thus, Jesus was not walking on water, but on the “substance” of the word that He had heard from His Father.

While in the boat, Peter said, “Lord, if this is You, bid me come.”  Jesus responded with the word, “come.”  Now Peter is also walking on “substance” as he has a word – “come.”  He did well until he looked away from Jesus, to the water, and as a result, he began to sink.  But Jesus reached out and took him by the hand and pulled him up.  The Lord is always present in every test.

Our being tested precedes the blessing.  Thus, Acts 1:8 becomes a powerful present word.

“But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

The word “after” confirms to us that we must first be tested, before the blessing and power are ours.

“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  Mark 1:9-13

“And Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil.”  Luke 4:1-2

“And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a season. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about.”  Luke 4:13-14

The “power and fame” came, only “after” Jesus had been tested, not when He was filled.

There is no easy formula to our becoming that which our Lord desires us to be - an overcomer who is seated with Him in His throne.  There is a price.  It will come only “after” we have been tested, or after we have spent time, waiting in His presence.