Study (Discovery) Guides

A Simple Approach To Discovering Truth

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What should we discover?

On the previous page, we looked at some of the reasons why we should discover what the Bible says about us, about the purpose of life and about what God expects of us.

But what should we discover? Perhaps proof that God exists? Proof that the Bible is his inspired word? What is religion? What is truth? Why are we here? How can we tell the difference between the "good guys" and the "bad guys" in the wild world of religion? What is God's will? What should I do? Which way should I go? Is what I understand now, correct? Have I been lied to, about religion or about God? Does the Bible support or conflict with what I already believe?

With so much to discover, where should we start?

The usual male approach to a project is to rip open the box, throw away the instructions and begin to assemble the parts. Leftover parts are ignored or discarded. If it is a simple object, this can sometimes work. If it is more complex and requires a specific sequence of assembly dependent upon certain variables, it usually doesn't work.

It is a good thing that females do not think this way. Let's see what we have here. We have a gas stove, we turn it on. We have a chicken. We'll put it on the stove. Here's cooking oil, we'll pour that over the chicken. It'll probably take a few minutes to cook. (Later), hey, there's matches here, they must be for lighting the stove. KA-BOOM!!! The flash fire ignites the oil which cooks the chicken, sort of. We beat out the flames with a skillet. Hmmmm? Perhaps that should have been under the chicken???

As silly as it sounds, this describes some religions. The people are hungry. The parts or ingredients are available. But because of faulty logic, or lack of knowledge, the (spiritual) "food" is wasted, the people get "burned" and their neighbors think they're nuts. Does that sound like any churches you have attended?

Complex tasks are best approached with some planning and preparation such as reading the directions.

However, if the new "project" is a wall mounted fire extinguisher, and your kitchen is already on fire, it might be a good idea to skip the mounting and maintenance instructions, and PUT OUT THE FIRE!!!

If some aspect of your life is "on fire" (in danger of imminent and severe damage or destruction) then you may need to ask someone else for directions to the nearest fire extinguisher (scriptures which apply to your current circumstance).

If there is no "emergency", then there are advantages to an approach of logical sequence.

For instance, why should we change our attitude and behavior unless there are promises of some benefits? Why should we believe God made any promises or that he will keep them? Why should we believe anything about God unless we believe the Bible is his inspired word? Why should we believe the Bible unless we believe God exists?

So a logical sequence would be:
1. Prove God exists.
2. Prove the Bible is his inspired word.
3. Prove that God keeps his promises.

Once we have proven that God exists, then we can ask and answer:
1. What is religion?
2. Why did God create us?
3. What is truth?
4. What is God's will?
5. Who and what was Christ?

After we have proven that the Bible is inspired, we can ask and answer:
1. What are God's promises?
2. What is required in order to receive all the promises of God?
3. Which church or churches are teaching what the Bible actually says?
4. How can we recognize true prophets, teachers and brethren as opposed to false ones?
5. What is going to happen in the future?

Every question answered provides a solid foundation for the next question and answer. It is similar to building a house. We start with a foundation, then a floor, then walls, and then the roof. If we start with the roof, it would be extremely difficult to build a house under it.

For instance, if we begin with the concept (roof) that God only exists "in each of us". How can we get a foundation of "how the world began, where did man come from, and who sustains everything around us" underneath that? We would have to construct (fabricate) something to fit that roof and it would truly be a "fabrication".

What if we thought the "roof" was acceptable? What if a tornado dropped a large piece of metal structure on our vacant property? It looks like it could be a metal roof. It's shape and size will work for us. It's lightweight so we can jack it up and build underneath it. As long as the sun shines, we are convinced that it is a roof. But the first time it rains, we discover that it is a wall structure with fully concealed offset venting for 50% of total surface area. Our "roof" is full of holes and we are "all wet".
There are a lot of "religious" ideas out there that are "holey" rather than "holy". And some of their owners will even swear that it is not raining on them.

Start with the foundation. It supports everything above it.

Don't borrow parts from others. They may not be what they appear to be.

Don't let others do structural work for you. It may look good from their house, but you are the one standing under it. It going to fall on your head not their's.

Every structure requires maintenance. Check everything on a regular basis. If there is a defective part, replace it with a non-defective part.

Share it with others who are interested, but don't force anyone. Forcing others to come under your roof is considered kidnapping or enslavement.

Take the time and make the effort to build a sound structure. Remember the two of the three little piggies had houses of straw and of sticks? They took low bid. The world is full of wolves (Mat. 7:15; 10:16; Lk. 10:3; Acts 20:29) who are professionally trained huffers and puffers who want to blow you away if they can get the chance.

[Note: The first colleges and universities were all founded by churches solely to produce priests and ministers. "Sheepskin" is a slang word for diploma. Think about it.]   ;-)

What else can we discover if we look?

Since the major Christian religions don't agree, they can't all be right. So who's telling the truth?

Christ said his "church" would have "few" people (Mat. 7:14; Lk. 13:23-24). How many is "few"?

Christ said his people would be "scattered" (Jer. 23:2; Eze. 11:16; Mat. 26:31; Jas. 1:1) and that they would be "gathered" when he returns (Jer. 31:10; Eze. 11:17; 20:34; 34:12; John 11:52; Mat. 24:31; Mk. 13:27; Jn. 11:52). So where are they now? (Mat. 18:20).

What is God's will? What should I do? Which way should I go? Is what I understand now, correct? Have I been lied to, about religion or about God? Does the Bible support or conflict with what I already believe?

"Wait a minute!" . . . Jesus Christ, (paraphrased).

Are you sure you want the answers to all these questions? Once you hear the truth, it will be too late to pretend that you didn't hear it. If the truth varies from what "everybody" (the "many", Mat. 7:22-23) believes, am I willing to live with that? If it varies from what I already believe, am I willing to accept that?

Am I willing to fully and irrevocably commit to God's way of life?

"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luk 9:62).
Verses 57-62 discuss various excuses for postponing the commitment.

"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
And he said unto him, . . . if you will enter into life, keep the commandments. . . .
The young man said unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Jesus said unto him, If you will be perfect, [give up everything you have] and "follow me."
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful; . . ." (Mat. 19:16-24).

Christ also said that we would get back more than we give up.
"And every one that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." (Mat. 6:29).

At various times during Christ's ministry, there were thousands of people following him around the countryside (Mat. 14:21; 15:38) and there were "many" disciples (Jn. 4:1; Acts. 1:15). But as Christ explained more about what was required, many lost interest.

"But there are some of you that believe not. . . .  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." (Jhn 6:64-66).

Christ hadn't even finished explaining everything he had to say, and all of them but twelve, walked away.
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now." (Jhn 16:12).

"You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!", (Jack Nickolson's character in "A Few Good Men").

Someone once said, "We often stumble over the truth, only to get up, dust ourselves off and continue on our way."

"What other choice is there?" . . . Simon Peter (paraphrased)

"Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will you also go away?
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life.
And we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God." (Jhn 6:67-69).

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your [children] may live:" (Deu 30:19).

Discovering Life

The first discovery should be that we are willing to commit, unconditionally, to choosing life.
"I [Christ] am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (Jhn 10:10).


Discovering Joy and Peace

The next discovery will be the joy and peace that comes from making this commitment.
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (Jhn 14:27).


Discovering Freedom

After that, is the thrill of discovering truth and the tremendous feeling of freedom it brings. Freedom from the "burdens" we normally labor under in this world.
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Jhn 8:32).
Freedom from deception (Mat. 25:4, 11; Mk. 13:6).
Freedom from fear (1 Jn. 4:18).
Freedom from sin (Rom. 6:18, 22).
Freedom from eternal death (Rom. 8:2).

 

Okay, we know why and what we want to discover. How do we do it?

 

Perhaps the Next Page will help.

Copyright M.H. and G.H. 2002 All rights reserved.

 

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