Letter To Our Children
by Pastor Joe | April 20, 2022 | Letters To Our Children
April 20, 2022
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Said in courtrooms every day across our land.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
Hello Friends!
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is a phrase believed to have roots in Old English and became part and parcel of English courtroom trials by about the 13th century. I have had to say this statement twice in a courtroom.
The Bible is a book that tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Why do Christians believe this is true? Why do Christians believe the Bible is the Word of God, sixty-six books, making one single book points to the need to be redeemed only through God’s Son, the Savior?
Over the next few letters, we will try and answer that question.
The Bible's Honesty About Humanity
In a biography, there is the temptation by both writer and reader to look past fast the subject's faults. The Bible is truthful enough not to do this. It doesn't try to hide the failures and sins of those in its pages.
Noah believed in God and obediently continued to build the ark as God said. Even though no rain was around, he kept at his work. However, after the flood, we read of Noah doing some awfully bad things that began with him getting drunk.
Abraham believed in God when God promised through Abraham, that all nations would know God’s blessing (Genesis 12:10-20). But he also lied while in Egypt. He brought disgrace on himself, his wife, and his family through those lies.
David had a great victory given to him by God over Goliath, yet later, he made some terrible choices and hurt quite a few people.
Each of them knew great victories but also great losses. If you think about it, we can personally find in just about every person the Bible speaks of some reason to despise, reject, accuse, and condemn them, but only if we were not in some way just like them. Which is the point A.W. Pink reminds us.
“God’s (word tells us) the best of men are but men at the best. No matter how richly gifted they may be, how eminent in God’s service, how greatly honored and used of Him, let His sustaining power be withdrawn from them for a moment and it will quickly be seen that they are ‘earthen vessels.’ No man stands any longer than he is supported by Divine grace. The most experienced saint, if left to himself, is immediately seen to be as weak as water and as timid as a mouse.
It's always been popular to condemn the wrongs of others. Being saved by God’s grace reminds us we shouldn’t follow that trend.
You see, the Bible tells us the truth (all people are broken), the whole truth (God loves broken people), and nothing but the truth (God in Jesus provides us with His righteousness to deal with our brokenness that we may stand in trials or after we fall, He will graciously lift us back up).
That is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
God bless you this week in every second of it.
Pastor Joe
P.S. When I testified in the courtroom both people I was a witness for were found not guilty.