"Seek the Truth"

  The most important aspect of Christianity is to seek the truth no matter what others might say. The truth,  not a truth, is the will of God. Outside the will of God danger lurks. "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Col. 2:8)

  It is your personal responsibility to not be taken captive through following teachings and ideas that are not part of Christ. The greatest danger in this is being taken captive by the power of sin itself. Sin is looking for ways to take back control and one of the easiest ways is to get you following teachings and philosophies that are religious looking but not the will of God. It might make us feel good but feelings are not the truth. The only thing that can set a person free is the truth. The truth is singular! There is only one teaching that can set one free and we must be humble and willing to seek that truth. Only by abiding in the words of Jesus can bring us knowledge of the truth (John 8:31-32). 

  Jesus points out clearly that "if anyone hears My sayings, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day." (John 12:47-48) Jesus allows anyone to reject His sayings! But to reject His word is a rejection of Jesus Himself no matter how one feels or thinks. It is a huge mistake to not want the truth to enlighten our minds to God's will.

  Paul told Timothy: "Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." (II Tim. 2:7) If we are going to come to understanding we must pay close attention to what was spoken and taught by Jesus as His apostles taught His word. John points out that in the first century, after preaching and teaching the truth, there were those who departed from the truth that was established and gone out into the world with other teachings (I John 2:18-19). It didn't take long for people to depart from the truth. There were people, who once were part of the truth, that were now trying to deceive those who held to the truth (I John 2:26). John says to hold to the anointing, the truth, to stay with you as no lie is of the truth (I John 2:27).

  We must seek the truth. There are too many following, listening and reasoning that whatever they deem as religious must be okay because they quote from Scripture. We must hold to the truth of the Scripture and not allow anyone to take us captive to something else. If it is not according to Christ, it's not the truth!!!