Repentance to the acknowledging of the truth

sermonindex Jun 18, 2011

2 Tim 2:24-26

24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Christians like myself who have had emotional and spiritual problems in this life are somehow not walking in the truth. Because Jesus Said, "The truth shall make you free". When the word talks about the truth in the passage in 2 Timothy, what is this truth? Is it a personal truth for each believer? How does the believer come to understand the truth? I have prayed to know the truth, but I'm wondering if it is something that is understood psychologically or spiritually? I've been in an escapism mindset all my life, and it has ruined my life. How can I know the truth and be set free? I've read a lot of books, so I know you don't necessarily get it by reading books although good Christian books on the subject of "inner healing" are very helpful. Any thoughts about this? Has anyone walked throught his?

Thanks,

sermonindex Jun 18, 2011

Jesus Christ is the truth.

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."

Go to Him, and skip the rest.

OJ

sermonindex Jun 18, 2011

Maybe you're right. Maybe it is just that simple. Very powerful verse you quoted there. But in another verse Jesus seems to imply that knowing the truth is condtional. "If you continue in my word, then you will know the truth...."

You will know the truth from His word or His Spirit?

D

davidc Jun 18, 2011

Endzone, you say

"When the word talks about the truth in the passage in 2 Timothy, what is this truth? Is it a personal truth for each believer? How does the believer come to understand the truth?"

Yes, it is a personal truth for each believer; but only in the sense that the truth must be received personally by each believer. But the truth which he receives is in fact "the truth that is in Jesus" (Eph 4.21) ; it is the truth of the gospel (Eph 1.13) and it is the truth which is according to godliness (Titus 1.1)

I believe that when a man ceases from his own struggles to justify himself before God; when he gives up and acknowleges that God's verdict about him is true, then, and only then, does God give him this "repentance to the acknowleging of the truth"

But it is so important that this repentance, this gift of God, is followed by the acknowleging of the truth, ie that Jesus Christ Himself now stands before God on his behalf to justify him, and to give him the Holy Spirit.

Praying for you brother

sermonindex Jun 18, 2011

Thanks davidc. Thanks for your encouraging words. I think the truth I don't get is how much I am loved. I am like the Hebrew people who came up out of Egypt. They basically didn't really believe that God loved them. This verse here from Deuteronomy 1:27 is pretty typical of their attitude:

27And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.

I will admit their circumstances were pretty tough. I would hate to be wondering around out there in a hot desert like that myself. It's easy to get the idea they weren't loved and that they were actually hated. I guess this is why I have lived an escapism life. I just didn't think the Lord was going to come through for me and that He was actually out to punish me. And maybe He has at times.

Thanks for praying for me as I have been somewhat affliced by tormenting demonic spirits today after I blew out on the internet.

I've been to many cities in France.

God bless,
Endzone

D

davidc Jun 18, 2011

"It's easy to get the idea they weren't loved and that they were actually hated. I guess this is why I have lived an escapism life."

But they were wrong. It was because the Lord loved them, that He brought them out of Egypt, not because He hated them.

It is time to stop believing the lies of the devil, and to trust in His immense love.

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son TO BE the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10.

This is what Jesus IS now, the propitiation for my sins and for yours. Herein is the love of God for you and for me.

David