"Buy The Truth

by J. JARVIE | Category: For Young Believers | Sept 1951

"Buy the truth and sell it not "(Proverbs 23.23).

The truth is the revealed will of God for His people. If we wish to apply the truth to our lives, that is, to do what we learn of the will of God, then we must buy the truth. Eternal life, which is the gift of God, is given to us freely through faith in Jesus Christ, but the truth must be paid for by obedience to His word.

We may know the truth and yet not do it. That is of no value. Any one who hears the word of the Lord, and does not do it, is like a man building his house upon the sand. When the testing time comes his house will fall (Matthew 1.24-27). So also there will be a testing time for every believer, at the judgement-seat of Christ (1" Corinthians 3.18), and if the truth has not been obeyed, there will be loss - eternal loss. How wise it is to buy the truth, no matter what the cost may be!

The first part of buying the truth is to learn the truth; and to learn it we must read Gods word. "If we read little of the word, we shall know little of the truth. The Bible must be read if we are to make progress in the truth. Not only must the Bible be read, but it must be thought about; We must spend. enough time over it so that, its words can sink down into our hearts. Without meditation not much will be gathered from Gods word.

The Bible must be read prayerfully. We need the Lord to open the Scriptures to us (Luke 24.32). Reading, meditation, and prayer these three are essential if we are to understand God's word, and to know the truth-the will of .God for His people.

How wonderfully God has opened to us His word, causing us to understand the truth concerning baptism in the Holy Spirit, and concerning the Church which is the Body of Christ, truth concerning the baptism of believers in water, truth concerning the church and the churches of God, truth concerning the house of God and the kingdom of God, truth concerning the coming of the Lord, and the judgement seat of Christ! These and more, God has made plain to His servants. How greatly blessed those believers are to whom these truths have been "revealed".

Any reader to whom these truths are not clear, should seek an understanding of them by reading and prayer. We can also find help from the ministry of God's word, in the churches of God, and from Sound literature which will gladly be sent, to any who are seeking to know more of the truth. When we are in doubt concerning God's word we should ask questions, about it from those who are taught in the word. The Lord Himself, when a Boy, sat in the midst of the teachers, hearing them, and asking them questions (Luke 2.46). We cannot pass on the truth of God to others unless we first of all learn it ourselves. What next,? the reader may ask, Buy the truth and sell it not." It is vauable. What is the price of the truth Separation from error.

They are not of the world even as I am not of the world Sanctify them (set then apart) to the truth (John 17. 16, 17)

The Christian should be separate from the world's amusements and from its politics. Why so? Because the Lord Jesus was separate from them, and we are His The Christian who mingles with the world is selling the truth. Around us there are many denominations all holding different doctrines. Yet in almost all of these denominations there are believers on the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of them are Christ like in their individual lives, but they are linked with others who are not true believers. The truth of God cannot be wholly followed there. What should these believers do? They should separate themselves from. error. Only in this way can they buy the truth. Here again, separation is the price of truth.

Yet again, we think of companies of believers where the truth concerning the church of God is not accepted. Because this truth is not accepted there is confusion. Sometimes there are two or three companies in one town who hold no close, fellowship with each other. These companies may vary in their practices. Some will receive unbaptized believers, others will not. Why does this confusion exist? Because the truth concerning the, churches of God is not known, or not accepted. What should the disciples of the Lord Jesus do in this case. They should separate themselves.

The believer who thus separates himself will find that many others also have bought the truth and with these he can meet, calling on the Lord out of a pure heart. Separation is not merely a drawing apart from men, but from error. The disciples who were sanctified (or set apart) in the truth, were then sent into the world with the, truth (John 17.16-21). To compromise, or to sell the truth may bring fellowship with men, but to buy the truth will bring fellowship with God and with all those who love, the truth.

"Buy the truth and sell it not"

J. JARVIE | Sept 1951
For Young Believers