Truth or Consequences

"Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”  1 John 2:4-6

There was a popular television game show that ran from 1940-1988 called, "Truth or Consequences".  In the show, contestants were asked questions (usually very difficult or strange, unanswerable questions), and if they answered incorrectly, they were required to perform an embarrassing stunt.  They could also choose to avoid the question altogether and elect the stunt or consequence.  

The stunts, questions, and scenarios were always designed to humiliate and embarrass, and it was difficult to find any truth in the show at all.  People watched the show, sadly, because they were entertained by the humiliation of their peers.

I find real life to be a great deal like that show.  Truth is often hard to find in our world.  Many would rather embarrass and humiliate than show genuine truth and love toward each other.

Isaiah 59:15 tells us, "Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was no justice.”

This verse rings true in the our world now more than ever.  God's truth is shushed in the workplace, our homes, our schools, and in far too many of our churches.  

"Keep quiet," they say.  

"Don't rock the boat."  

"We don't want to offend anyone."  

"Coexist."  

What is presented is fallacy, and those who speak up to share God's truth are attacked as lacking self-control, radical, crazy, too-far-right, or over-zealous, when the truth is that they are just the opposite of these accusations.

Unlike the show, God's truth can be found, and it is available to us in the person of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Bible tells us in John 14:6, "Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.”

And, unlike the show, the consequences of not following God's truth are eternal.  Heaven is real, and so is hell.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way" (Matthew 7:13).

Do you know God’s truth?  Or, are you content to face the consequences?

Goodnight, Runners.