TRANSFORMED BY THE TRUTH

Topic: TRANSFORMED BY TRUTH.

Text: Acts 16:14; 20:32; Matt.4:4; Rom.12:2; 2Cor.3:18.

Introduction: THE TRUTH TRANSFORMS US.

Spiritual growth is the process of replacing lies with truth. Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them by the truth; thy word is truth." Jn.17:17. Sanctification requires revelation. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to make us like the Son of God. To become like Jesus, we must fill our lives with His Word. The Bible says, "Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the task God has for us." 2Tim.3:17. God's Word is unlike any other word. It is alive. Heb.4:12; Acts 7:38; 1Pet.1:23. Jesus said, "The Word that I have spoken to you are spirit and are live. Jn.6:63. When God speaks, things change. Everything around you - all of creation - exists because "God said it." He spoke it all into existence. Without God's Word you wouldn't even be alive. James points out, "God decided to give us life through the word of truth so we might be the most important of all the things He made." Jas.1:18.

The Bible is far more than a doctrinal guidebook. God's Word generates life, creates faith, produce change, frightens the devil, causes miracles, heals hurts, builds character, transforms circumstances, imparts joy, overcomes adversity, defeats temptation, infuse hope, releases power, cleanse our minds, brings things into being, and guarantees our future forever! We cannot live without the Word of God! Never take it for granted. You should consider it as essential to your life as food. Job said, "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. Job.23:12. God's Word is the spiritual nourishment you must have to fulfil your purpose. The Bible is called our milk, bread, solid food, and sweet dessert. 1Pet.2:2; Matt.4:4; 1Cor.3:2; Ps.119:103. The four-course meal is the Spirit's menu for spiritual strength and growth. Peter advises us, "Crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." 1Pet.2:2.

ABIDING IN GOD'S WORD

There are more Bibles in print today than ever before, but a Bible on the shelf is worthless. Millions of believers are plagued with spiritual anorexia, starving to death from spiritual malnutrition. "To be a healthy disciple of Jesus, feeding on God's Word must be your first priority. Jesus called it "abiding." He said, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciple of Mine." Jn.8:31. In day to day living, abiding in God's Word includes three activities.

I must accept its authority. The Bible must become the authoritative standard for my life: the compass I rely on for direction, the counsel I listen to for making wise decisions, and the benchmark I use for evaluating everything. The Bible must always have the first and last word in my life.

Many of our troubles occur because we base our choices on unreliable authorities: (everyone is doing it), tradition (we've always done it), reason (it seemed logical), or emotion (it just felt right). All four of these are flawed by the fall. What we need is a perfect standard that will never lead us in the wrong direction. Only God's Word meets that need. Solomon reminds us, "Every word of God is flawless. Pro.30:5; 2Tim.3:16.

The most important decision you can make today is to settle this issue of what will be the ultimate authority for your life. Decide that regardless of culture, tradition, reason, or emotion, you choose the as your final authority. Determine to first ask, "What does the Bible say?" when making decisions. Acts 24:14.

I must assimilate its truth. It is not enough just to believe the Bible; I must fill my mind with it so that Holy Spirit can transform me with the truth. There five ways to do this: You can receive it, read it, research it, remember it, and reflect on it. Luke 18:18; Jas.1:21; Deu.17:19; Jas.1:25; Ps.119:11, 49-50, 105; Col.3:16; 2Cor.3:18; Acts 13:22; Ps.119:97; Jn.15:7; Josh.1:8; Ps.1:2-3.

I must apply its principles. Receiving, reading, researching, remembering, and reflecting on the Word are all useless if we fail to put them into practice. We must become the "doer of the Word." Jas.1:22. This is the hardest step of all, because satan fights it so intensely. He doesn't mind you going to Bible studies as long as you don't do anything with what you learn. Without implementation, all our Bible studies are worthless. Matt.7:24. Blessing is only attached to doing the Word.