In The Master's Service

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Truth

Elder Michael Green, Jr.

I Samuel 12.24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart. for consider how great things he hath done for you.

What is truth, and where is it found? Humanism, a prevalent philosophy today, tries to tell us that there is no absolute truth; that it is up to each individual to determine his or her own truth. This thinking has led to the degradation of morality in our culture. From the highest governmental offices, we have witnessed controversies that brazenly mock truth and morality. Politicians have clouded the truth for their own personal benefit. Even families have been compromised, and many suffer because parents have have bought into the idea that children should be allowed to form their own ideas about truth, without mom and dad imposing their beliefs of right and wrong.

From the national to the local level, we have seen how a lack of regard for the truth affects every aspect of our society. It seems that every time we read the paper or watch the news, a new political scandal is uncovered, schools are having more discipline problems than ever, and major crimes amongst juveniles are rising at an alarming rate. These are only a few of the numerous symptoms of a greater problem, the lack of absolute truth. Unfortunately, a disregard for the truth has even entered into many of today's churches. The church was established by God to change society through the message of truth, but in many cases, society has instead changed the church. Truth has been sacrificed for the sake of popularity and mass appeal in many places. However, the Bible elevates truth above everything else.

In I Samuel we discover that the nation of Israel was facing a similar crisis. Israel began as a nation that was ruled and governed by God exclusively. He used various men and women to serve as His mouthpiece periodically, butGod was their King. He had blessed them to come out of Egypt and into the land of promise. They were strengthened by God to overcome many obstacles and defeat much more powerful armies. However, in I Samuel 8 we read that Israel desired a king like the other nations (v.5). The Lord answered the request of the people, "And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them (v.7). The nation of Israel chose what was popular over the truth of God. They chose to do what they thought was right instead of following the truth of God. Ultimately, they rejected the truth of God. God gave them the king they desired, but serious consequences followed.

God was merciful to the nation of Israel despite their compromise of the truth. Through Samuel the priest God gave them a sobering admonition, "Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you" (I Samuel 12.24). This message still applies to us today. We ought to reverence and respect the Lord of Heaven and Earth to such a degree that we serve Him in truth. He has done many wonderful things for us. We have been blessed with a great nation and freedom to pursue great things. It is but a small thing to show obedience unto the Lord and obey His truth. Where is truth found? In His word and in His church!