Truth Saves Us

This blog is about how believing what God says, aka truth, saves us and the many, many reasons why Jesus Christ is the only way to the loving Father in heaven.

God’s word is the truth because what God says, He will do!

It is at the water baptism of Jesus that we see Father and the Holy Spirit introducing the Son.

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:15-17

The truth is, whoever has the Son has life because God says so. If we do not believe what God has said about His Son, we are in effect saying God is not telling the truth, or that God is a liar. I don’t believe we can be complacent about this. When we are confronted with his truth, we either believe it or we do not.

If we take human testimony at face value, how much more should we be reassured when God gives testimony as he does here, testifying concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God’s testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God’s own testimony regarding his Son. This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. 1 John 5:6-12 Message

Without the truth that is in Jesus, we are not heaven material because we need the truth that is in Jesus to change us.

I will show you why.

Have you ever thought about how Adam and Eve were not born, but were created.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27

And about how Adam and Eve fell for a lie?

We can only get back up by truth that is in Jesus.

You see, we are all born in the image of the first two humans, and we need to be recreated in the image of God like in the beginning.

Jesus Christ is the image of God sent down from heaven! He is the Son of God.

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 1:1-3

Philip said, “Sir, show us the Father and we will be satisfied.”

Jesus replied, “Don’t you even yet know who I am, Philip, even after all this time I have been with you? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! John 14:8-9

Christians are born again from above.

Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit. So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. John 3:5-8 Message

Christians are part of a new creation by believing God’s word about God’s Son, and by the work of His Spirit.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, Titus 3:4-6

We cannot recreate ourself in the image of God, or save ourself, no matter how hard we try. Only God can do that.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

We cannot walk in God’s truth without the Spirit of truth.

And we cannot have the Spirit of truth without Jesus! The Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all involved in getting us to the truth, and helping us walk in the truth all our lives, but we have to respond in faith to the gospel of our salvation first. And the truth that is in Jesus includes the body and the blood of Jesus.

Christians believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and the witnesses.

I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Christians believe in the power of the innocent blood that cleanses sin.

The first reference to blood in the Bible is a brother’s blood.

God said to Cain after he killed Abel, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. Genesis 4:10

Judas betrayed the innocent blood.

I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood..
Matthew 27:4

Pilate washed his hands of the innocent blood.

…I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Matthew 27:24

He made Him [Christ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 1 Corinthians 5:21

Christians believe that God so loved the world, that He gave His Son to save the world.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17

Christians confess their faith in the truth that is in Jesus.

if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10

Christians believe in the power of the blood to cleanse sin and give eternal life.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29

Anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Master irreverently is like part of the crowd that jeered and spit on him at his death. Is that the kind of “remembrance” you want to be part of? Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe. 1 Corinthians 11:27-28Message

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:53-54

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Christians are baptized with the Holy Spirit of truth so they can know the truth and they experience the freedom of truth.

Jesus said,

“You are truly my disciples if you live as I tell you to, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

Christians experience truth!

Christians know the truth more and more as they live out the truth everyday, for they see what obeying the truth can do for their lives and the lives of those around them! So, the first truth Christians believe about Jesus brings salvation, then He baptizes them with the Holy Spirit of truth to continually shed light on all the truth in God’s Holy Word that brings freedom.

We not only see the baptism with the Holy Spirit in the early church, but the baptism in water.

Christians are baptized in water to show their faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ to save them, and their new life in Him.

After Peter preached God’s Word to Cornelius and his family.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Acts 10:44-48

And this is not just for the early church.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:38-39

Here are some Scripture about the Holy Spirit of Truth.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. John 14:16-17

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me: John 15:26

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:7-14

Now, we will do an exercise. In the following verses, I have inserted (TRUTH) after the word, Spirit. I believe this will help us see more clearly that the Holy Spirit is sent to lead Christians in, and teach them the TRUTH in God’s word so they can continually experience the freedom in obeying God. We need the Holy Spirit and the Word to know TRUTH. Jesus has given them both to us.

If one is not a Christian, these will not apply. If one is not a Christian, it is a good chance the Holy Spirit is working on them to become a Christian.

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: John 16:8 ESV

Now for the exercise. This is long, but I think beneficial.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (TRUTH). ..
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit (TRUTH), the things of the Spirit (TRUTH). ..
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually (TRUTHFULLY) minded is life and peace. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit (TRUTH) of Christ, he is not His. Romans 8:1,5,6,9

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit (TRUTH). For the Spirit (TRUTH) searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit (TRUTH) of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit (TRUTH) who is from God, that we might know 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 (TRUTH) teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit (TRUTH) of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually (TRUTHFULLY) discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:10-14

… you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit (TRUTH) of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

..no man speaking by the Spirit (TRUTH) of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost (TRUTH). 1 Corinthians 12:3

by one Spirit (TRUTH) are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit (TRUTH).
1 Corinthians 12:13

Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit (TRUTH) in our hearts. 2 Corinthians 1:22

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit (TRUTH) of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 2 Corinthians 3:3

Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit (TRUTH): and where the Spirit (TRUTH) of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:16-17

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit (TRUTH) of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

This only would I learn of you, Received you the Spirit (TRUTH) by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?…He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, (TRUTH) and works miracles among you, does he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3:2,5

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit (TRUTH) through faith. Galatians 3:14

because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit (TRUTH) of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, (TRUTH) even so it is now. Galatians 4:29

For we through the Spirit (TRUTH) wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Galatians 5:5

Walk in the Spirit, (TRUTH) and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit (TRUTH), and the Spirit (TRUTH) against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would. But if you be led of the Spirit, (TRUTH) you are not under the law…But the fruit of the Spirit (TRUTH) is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, (TRUTH) let us also walk in the Spirit. (TRUTH) Galatians 5:16-18,22-25

he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit (TRUTH) shall of the Spirit (TRUTH) reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:8

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit (TRUTH) in the inner man;
Ephesians 3:16

There is one body, and one Spirit, (TRUTH) even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; Ephesians 4:4 KJV

(For the fruit of the Spirit (TRUTH) is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:9-10

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit (TRUTH); Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:18-19

take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, (TRUTH) which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:17

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, (TRUTH) and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual (TRUTH) songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God, who has also given unto us his holy Spirit. (TRUTH) 1 Thessalonians 4:8

Quench not the Spirit. (TRUTH) 1 Thessalonians 5:19

then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit (TRUTH)of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 2 Thessalonians 2:8

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, (TRUTH) seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

Now the Spirit (TRUTH) speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1 Timothy 4:1

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit (TRUTH) of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1 Peter 1:11

You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual (TRUTH) house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual (TRUTH) sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit (TRUTH) which he has given us. 1 John 3:24

Here’s one for all the people out there with their “truths”.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, “truth” but try the spirits “truths” whether they are of God: because many false prophets “truths’ are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

Hereby know ye the Spirit (TRUTH) of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit (untruth) of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1 John 4:2-3

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. (TRUTH) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost (TRUTH), Jude 1:19-20

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost (TRUTH) teaches; comparing spiritual (TRUE) things with spiritual (TRUE). But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit (TRUTH) of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually (TRUTHFULLY) discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:13-14

Christians are not perfect but they are made free, from the law of sin and death by embracing the truth that is in Jesus.

the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death Romans 8:3

Christians desire to do their Father in heaven’s will, because they are part of God’s family of (TRUTH).

Jesus called people like that, family.

“whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew 12:50

Christians obey God by daily following the Holy Spirit of truth.

We aren’t saved from sin’s grasp by knowing the commandments of God because we can’t and don’t keep them, but God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours—except that ours are sinful—and destroyed sin’s control over us by giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins. So now we can obey God’s laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us. Romans 8:3-4 TLB

I hope this tremendously long blog helped you understand why it is so important for us to believe God’s truth, and that there are many, many reasons why Jesus Christ is the only way to our Father in heaven.

Amen