Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: TRUTH (08/31/23)
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TITLE: The Whole Truth | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
09/06/23 -
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However, His execution could not be carried out without Roman collaboration.
It didn’t take too long for Pontius Pilate to perceive that there was more than what meets the eye, concerning the charges brought by Jesus’ accusers (2).
Pilate asked what is truth (3), but being swayed by political expediency and by his desire to satisfy the crowd (4), handed Jesus over for flogging and crucifixion.
His alleged blasphemy, calling for His execution, had failed to secure Pilate’s cooperation.
In response, His accusers then argued that His activity amounted to crime(s) against the state (Rome) by promoting a kingship other than Caesar.
Pilate has initially found Jesus not guilty of any capital offense (5). Had Pilate stood his ground, Jesus might not have been crucified.
But what Pilate and His accusers did not realize, was that it was God’s plan of salvation that was unfolding, and that he and they were unwitting participants.
In the American court system there are two opposing sides in criminal cases that engage in a war of words.
Primarily through verbal testimony, each side attempts to sway the jury to accept their version of the truth, in order to secure either a conviction, or an acquittal, of the accused.
Witnesses are sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. But in reality, the carefully worded questions, objections, and rehearsed answers, often result in the whole truth being distorted.
Factually correct, but missing information, does not tell the whole story.
For instance, if you were told that someone was seen beating an animal to its bloody death, as it cried out in pain, you would not think well of the individual involved.
But if you were told that the individual was an elderly man with a cane that had come to the rescue of a mother and infant who were under attack by a rabid animal, you would likely come to a very different conclusion.
The agenda and motives of reporting and or testifying witnesses must also be taken into consideration.
There are many tricks and tactics used to attack the testifying witnesses, the evidence, and the testimonies that witnesses have to offer.
As in a criminal court proceeding, most of the spiritual combat during the Church Age is primarily a war of words, as well. The salvation or edification of souls hang in the balance.
Preserving and promoting the veracity of the unadulterated Gospel Message, and the applicable Bible doctrines pertaining to the Church Age, is at the center of this war of words.
The devil is the chief advocate, representing the diabolical opposition in this war of words.
The Church that God designed, consisting of born-again believers of each generation, was given its marching orders in the Great Commission (6).
In response, the devil’s primary objective during the Church Age is to do all that he can to counterattack the execution of the marching orders that were given to the Church.
He does so by promoting the many false religions of the world (7), and by promoting false Gospel Messages (means of salvation), divisive and false doctrines, and accompanying practices, WITHIN the Christian Community at large.
For individuals who have no genuine interest in spiritual activity, the devil has a world full of distractions to occupy their minds and to consume their time.
For born-again believers who desire to pursue post salvation discipleship, the devil has the Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil, and an innumerable amount of deceived persons, inside and outside of the Christian Community (8), to confuse, mislead, and to persecute them.
Satan is most successful when his misguidance comes from trusted (but erroneous) sources (clergy, parents, etc.).
The truth is the truth, and falsehood is falsehood, no matter who is doing the speaking.
Luke 4: 6, Matt. 7: 13, and Mark 4: 19 speaks of the devil’s considerable success.
Despite the opposition, the truth can be found by those who diligently seek it (10).
Through Biblical discipleship, one builds confidence in his or her edified soul structure (11), as he or she learns and applies the unadulterated truth that sets one free (12).
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(1) Matt. 26: 65, 66 (2) Mark 15: 10 (3) John 18: 38 (4) Mark 15: 15 (5) Mark 15: 14 (6) Matt. 28: 19, 20 (7) Psalms 96: 5 (8) Rev. 12: 9 (10) Jer. 29: 13 (11) Matt. 7: 24 - 27 (12) John 8: 31, 32
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