Download - Sincerity Or Truth
Sincerity or Truth— Which is more
important?Laindon3rd August 2008
Truth or Sincerity? 2
Our approach
• What do we mean by sincerity and truth?
• In what context are we asking this question?
• Where do we turn for an answer?• What does God have to say?• So where does that leave us?
Truth or Sincerity? 3
Sincerity and truth
• sincerity, noun “freedom from pretence or hypocrisy; honesty; straightforwardness; genuineness”
• truth, noun “what is true or real; reality; specially spiritual reality as the subject of revelation or object of faith”
Source: Oxford English Dictionary
Truth or Sincerity? 4
Context
• Is truth absolute or relative? • Which is more important: the
sincerity with which we hold our beliefs or the truth of those beliefs?
• Does it matter? “All routes lead to heaven” President
Bush, interview May 2007
Truth or Sincerity? 5
Where do we turn?
• If we believe in God, then we must turn to his revelation
• God has pronounced: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof*, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
* refutation of error (Strong)
Truth or Sincerity? 6
God’s view on sincerity
• Jesus plainly taught that sincerity is essential (Matthew 15:7-9)
• God showed that sincerity without adherence to his truth/command is not acceptable (1 Samuel 15:1-3,14-15,19-23)
• Paul taught that obedience without understanding is also valueless (Romans 2:12-16)
Truth or Sincerity? 7
God’s view on Truth
• God and his son Jesus are the source of Truth (John 8:31-32,14:6)
• There is only one Truth (Galatians 1:8-12)
• We must hold fast to that Truth to be pleasing to God (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
• Failure to hold fast to the Truth brings condemnation (Galatians 3:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-14)
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So what is God’s answer?
• Sincerity is essential for salvation
• Adherence to the Truth is equally essential for salvation
• Sincere belief in God’s Truth will produce the works/fruits that are pleasing to God (Matthew 7:13-27)
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The challenge of Truth
The things that I believe
Where do they come from?
My own/ men’s ideas?
My church’s teaching?
God’s word the Bible?
What action have I taken?
Truth or Sincerity? 10
Where does that leave us?
• The Truth tells us that we are in need of redemption through Christ (John 3:16)
• If we are sincere then we must change our ways (Ephesians 4:17-18)
• We will be subject to judgement on Christ’s return to the earth (Matthew 16:27)
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Conclusion of the matter
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:10-11
Truth or Sincerity? 12
Next 3 weeks (God willing)
• Does Bible Prophecy really talk about:
– Europe?
– Russia?
– Britain?