{"id":1035,"date":"2016-02-06T10:40:04","date_gmt":"2016-02-06T15:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.com\/RiverOfLife\/?p=1035"},"modified":"2020-10-01T09:07:05","modified_gmt":"2020-10-01T13:07:05","slug":"1035-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/1035-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Born Again? Evidence #6 Do You Believe the Bible Is The Truth?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Randy<\/a>
Randy Bell<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

John provides seven clear cut evidences of salvation, and today we look at what is truth according to Evidence #6. Don’t skip the others, read through these proofs in his letter we call 1 John.<\/span><\/p>\n

The apostle proves that life changing evidences of salvation will remove doubts and fears about your relationship with God. And in Evidence #6 we see John pressing forward by demanding that it is a non-optional fact that only true believers accept the Bible to be God\u2019s revelation and absolute truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

He continues his onslaught with the evidence that separates the real believer from the false. John does this by establishing what constitutes truth<\/strong> and what is not. And what is not truth is nothing more than the lies that spew from the deceiver of mankind. \u201cThey are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God<\/b>. He who knows God hears us<\/span><\/b>; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know<\/b> the spirit of truth and the spirit of error<\/b>.\u201d [1 John 4:2,3<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The source of the information determines what is true and what is false. The eyewitnesses who walked with Jesus the Son of God shared the truth. All the rumors, false information, and twisted teaching that was propagated by others as if from Jesus was false.<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n

So the line is drawn in the sand. Listen to Christ or listen to the world. The eyewitnesses of Jesus, such as John, Matthew, Peter, Paul, etc wrote down what they saw with their own eyes, what they heard directly from Jesus, and what they actually did through God’s Holy Spirit empowering them. Inspired by God, they supernaturally wrote the words God wanted all people to receive about salvation and a relationship with Him. These books are the New Testament Bible we have today and it is God’s absolute truth for every person.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"scorm-icon\"<\/a>1 John 1:1-4 (NLT)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen.<\/b> We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0This one who is life itself was revealed to us<\/b>, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.<\/span><\/p>\n

In any court of law only eyewitnesses and evidence are the foundation for truth. Doubters and unbelievers who were not in Israel, not standing next to Jesus, and not hearing Christ the Lord speak have no testimony of truth. Anyone can invent an opinion about anything, but that opinion is not equal to evidence! It is false information created by fools!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"scorm-icon\"<\/a>2 Peter 1:20-21 (NLT)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

20 \u00a0Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet\u2019s own understanding<\/b>,<\/span><\/p>\n

21 \u00a0or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force or some kind of energy. God revealed Himself\u00a0 to certain people in the ancient past, and the Old Testament is the written testimonies of the people who experienced God. It is historical fact, not mythological stories. Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and all the others are real people with real stories about the God of heaven, our creator.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of these prophets revealed unknowable information\u00a0 about the future to prove they were speaking by the revelation and in the power of the Holy spirit. The Bible is the evidence of God himself reaching out to the world and offering eternal life.<\/span><\/p>\n

But there is a dynamic war of what is truth versus what are lies or error in the world. The world rejects the Bible and the testimony of the followers of Jesus who lived with Him. We find the apostle Paul also explaining the difference between TRUTH and ERROR in many places of his writings. For example in his letter to the church in Galatia he writes,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"scorm-icon\"<\/a>Galatians 1:6-9 (NLT)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way<\/b> that pretends to be the Good News<\/span><\/p>\n

7 \u00a0but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

8 \u00a0Let God\u2019s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven<\/b>, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

9 \u00a0I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

You have turned from God and His truth if you will not follow the message that Jesus gave to humanity and instead listen to anyone else, including your own opinions. Who do you think you are? You are not important enough, nor powerful enough to create truth. God is divine and creator of you and everything. Your words have no power to change the future, or eternity. God\u2019s Word establishes truth, life, and all creation. Contradicting God leaves you cursed and under everlasting death. Your opinion is NOTHING BUT ANOTHER COSTLY ERROR<\/b> that you will suffer from unless you LISTEN TO GOD<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"scorm-icon\"<\/a>2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (NLT)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways<\/b> of the serpent.<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus<\/b> than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit<\/b> than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel<\/b> than the one you believed.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A different Jesus<\/b>, a different spirit<\/b>, and a different gospel <\/b>will lead you to a different place than heaven. The world and popular opinion of today will agree with a new and different message, but deception, not truth is that path of darkness. Believe me when I tell you, that old serpent the devil wants you destroyed through new novel ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n

False preachers, teachers, and religions will offer you every new idea that can possibly be thought of to twist you from believing the historical reality of God\u2019s salvation through Christ Jesus the Lord. There is a heaven and hell, therefore religion has nothing to do with making you self satisfied and happy. Truth determines your eternal destiny. Your way will land you in the devil\u2019s path to eternal hell.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"options-icon\"<\/a>An Evidence of Salvation Is Believing The Truth of God\u2019s Word The Bible!<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

A person who agrees with the Bible is of God. A person who listens to new religious leaders in contradiction to the Bible are not saved! The Bible is the standard of truth, and the determiner of error. Any person, movement, or religion that contradicts the plain and clear teaching of the Bible is in error, even if they claim their message came by special way of angels from God to correct and improve the old message of the Bible with new revelation.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no new prophets sent by God to correct or contradict His Son\u2019s message of salvation. IT DOES NOT NEED CORRECTION!<\/b> There is no new messages from God to correct the old fashioned churches that follow the old Bible written nearly 2000 years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

So how can we tell the truth?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are of God<\/b> [John and the other disciples], He who knows God hears us<\/b> [listens to their teaching from the Bible]; he who is not of God does not hear us<\/b> [listen to us] . . .\u201d [1 John 4:6<\/strong>]<\/span><\/p>\n

This means the New Testament portion of the Bible must be completely believed also, not just the Jewish scriptures, to prove you are really of God. Remember John along with all the original followers of Messiah were Jewish. Most Jews want God without Jesus, their Messiah, even though He fully revealed Himself to them, and fulfilled all the prophecy given by the Old Testament prophets.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no plan \u201cB\u201d for them or anyone else. The GOOD NEWS is Yeshua, son of David, sacrificed His life for all sin. How plain can it be? The message of John and the other Jewish followers of Jesus, the Messiah, is still the same. Eternal life is given by God to all who believe His Word and repent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul, the apostle, wrote to his fellow Jews…<\/span><\/p>\n

\"scorm-icon\"<\/a>Romans 10:1-4 (NLT)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.<\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0For they don\u2019t understand God\u2019s way of making people right<\/b> with himself. Refusing to accept God\u2019s way<\/b>, they cling to their own way<\/b> of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Your way versus God\u2019s way is the issue! Truth is God\u2019s way, lies are the world\u2019s ways. Your thoughts versus God\u2019s thoughts. Your ways, versus God\u2019s! Only the true saint sees this truth, leaves his ways, and follows Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n

You are not smarter than, wiser than, nor greater than God. When you are convinced of your own importance, which includes all your ideas, you are in error. Your life is based on lies. Jesus is the only truth (John 14:6<\/strong>). Do not live a life of misdirection, but instead, humble yourself and listen to God Almighty. Every time you contradict the Bible you are denying the Lord Jesus. Any personal opinion that contradicts Jesus denies Christ and is a lie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jude wrote a brief letter to further this warning, \u201cDear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation<\/b> we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted <\/b>once for all time<\/b> to his holy people<\/b>. I say this because some ungodly people<\/strong> have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God\u2019s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives.<\/b> The condemnation<\/b> of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord,<\/b> Jesus Christ.\u201d [Jude 1:3-4 (NLT)] <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Jude warns that anyone inside the community of the church who contradicts Jesus is a person who denies Christ. No matter who you are, when you contradict the God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, and put words in His mouth, or twist His teaching, you have denied God, and called Him a liar. Therefore truth is what the Bible clearly states, and you can measure everything to be true or false by the real standard of truth, THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS THE BIBLE<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is the will of God written for all people. It is the path of life, the narrow road, given for all people to follow. It is the truth, without error because the all knowing God has supernaturally written, preserved and given it to mankind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jude continues to reveal God\u2019s opinion of people that contradict Him and follow their own truth. \u201cIn the same way, these people\u2014who claim authority from their dreams<\/b>\u2014live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings. But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, \u2018The Lord rebuke you!\u2019 (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses\u2019 body.)\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut these people scoff at things they do not understand<\/b>. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them<\/b>, and so they bring about their own destruction<\/b>. What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish<\/strong> in their rebellion.\u201d [Jude 1:8-11 (NLT)] <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Jude gives examples of many people who dream up their own truth, their own opinions of what they want to do, even though it contradicts the clear revelation of the Bible. The people of error, follow their instincts and natural passions, but claim God is on their side. The people of error clash with truth to their own destruction.<\/span><\/p>\n

History is filled with many, many people who have lived and died demanding that their way was right. For example, Cain killed Abel and was angry with God because He did not accept his own way of practicing religion. Or others, like Korah, who clashed with Moses, God\u2019s chosen leader, and demanded God accept his opinion on worship and spiritual authority. The people of error clash with the people of truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

John warns there are many who will try to confuse and twist the truth in 1 John chapter 4…<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

\"scorm-icon\"<\/a>1 \u00a0Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God<\/strong>. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist<\/strong>, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

5 \u00a0Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world\u2019s viewpoint<\/strong>, and the world listens to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us<\/strong>. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

How can you hear the truth spoken by John and the other first century disciples of Jesus?<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

\"options-icon\"<\/a>John clearly demands that only those who listen to him and the other writers of the New Testament are of God. \u201c\u2026 BY THIS WE KNOW THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND THE SPIRIT OF ERROR<\/b>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Every teaching outside of the Bible is driven ultimately by the spirit of Antichrist, the blinding force that keeps the whole world in darkness from the loving God. So only the born again child of God has the miraculous new birth that gives Christians the eyes to see the truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

John says, \u201c\u2026 it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth<\/b>.\u201d [1 John 5:6b<\/strong>] And again, the apostle Paul agrees by saying, \u201cNow we have received<\/b>, not the spirit of the world<\/b>, but the Spirit who is from God<\/b>, that we might know<\/b> the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches<\/b>, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.\u201d [1 Corinthians 2:12-13<\/strong>]<\/span><\/p>\n

The powerful end time deception that will sweep the last generation of this era into the arms of the devil is based on strong delusion through lies. Every bump in our culture that pushes the envelope into deeper sin, forces the world one more step into Antichrist rule. The people go deeper into darkness, blinded and cursed, and run to complete rejection of the church and it\u2019s message.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is not the church\u2019s fault unless they shrink in fear and refuse to SPEAK THE TRUTH<\/b> expecting God to miraculously raise dead sinners to eternal life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"scorm-icon\"<\/a>1 John 2:18-27 (NLT)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

18 \u00a0Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming<\/strong>, and already many such antichrists have appeared<\/strong>. From this we know that the last hour has come.<\/span><\/p>\n

19 \u00a0These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us<\/span>.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

20 \u00a0But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of <\/b>you know the truth<\/span><\/b>.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

21 \u00a0So I am writing to you not because you don\u2019t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

22 \u00a0And who is a liar<\/b>? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ<\/strong>. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.<\/span><\/p>\n

23 \u00a0Anyone who denies the Son doesn\u2019t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.<\/span><\/p>\n

24 \u00a0So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught <\/b>from the beginning<\/b>.<\/b> If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father.<\/span><\/p>\n

25 \u00a0And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.<\/span><\/p>\n

26 \u00a0I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray<\/span>.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

27 \u00a0But you have received the Holy Spirit<\/span><\/b>, and he lives within you<\/b>, so you don\u2019t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true\u2014it is not a lie. <\/b>So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The truth will set you FREE!<\/span><\/h4>\n

\"scorm-icon\"<\/a>John 8:31-47 (NLT)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

31 \u00a0Jesus said to the people who believed in him, \u201cYou are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

32 \u00a0And you will <\/b>know the truth<\/b>, and <\/b>the truth will set you free<\/b>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

33 \u00a0\u201cBut we are descendants of Abraham,\u201d they said. \u201cWe have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, \u2018You will be set free\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

34 \u00a0Jesus replied, \u201cI tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

35 \u00a0A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.<\/span><\/p>\n

36 \u00a0So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

37 \u00a0Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there\u2019s no room in your hearts for my message.<\/span><\/p>\n

38 \u00a0I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

39 \u00a0\u201cOur father is Abraham!\u201d they declared. \u201cNo,\u201d Jesus replied, \u201cfor if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.<\/span><\/p>\n

40 \u00a0Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

41 \u00a0No, you are imitating your real father.\u201d They replied, \u201cWe aren\u2019t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

42 \u00a0Jesus told them, \u201cIf God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.<\/span><\/p>\n

43 \u00a0Why can\u2019t you understand what I am saying?<\/strong> It\u2019s because you can\u2019t even hear me<\/b>!<\/span><\/p>\n

44 \u00a0For you are the children of your father the devil<\/b>, and you love to do the evil things he does<\/b>. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always <\/b>hated the truth<\/b>, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

45 \u00a0So when I tell the truth, you just <\/b>naturally <\/b>don\u2019t believe me<\/b>!<\/span><\/p>\n

46 \u00a0Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don\u2019t you believe me?<\/span><\/p>\n

47 \u00a0Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don\u2019t listen because you don\u2019t belong to God.\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Well do you belong to God? Prove it!<\/span><\/h4>\n

\"options-icon\"<\/a>So remember, there are things we can disagree on, but you cannot disagree with the Bible over your salvation and eternal life. Unless you allow God through the Bible to direct your faith and beliefs you will be lost forever. God so loves you that He gave His Word to be clear and concise to prevent you from being confused and miss His gift of eternal life.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you do not know how to repent and follow Jesus contact us immediately through our website and join us this Sunday at 11 am for worship and ask for help<\/strong>. That is why we are here!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

John provides seven clear cut evidences of salvation, and today we look at what is truth according to Evidence #6. Don’t skip the others, read through these proofs in his letter we call 1 John. The apostle proves that life changing evidences of salvation will remove doubts and fears about your relationship with God. And in Evidence #6 we see John pressing forward by demanding that it is a non-optional fact that only true believers accept the Bible to be God\u2019s revelation and absolute truth. He continues his onslaught with…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":629,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[57,51,28,58],"class_list":["post-1035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-discipleship-3","tag-bible","tag-evidence","tag-salvation","tag-truth"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1035","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1035"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1035\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/629"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}