Holding On to the Truth

KEY VERSE: “Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” —II Thessalonians 2:15

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: II Thessalonians 2:1-15

THE TRUTH is the most precious treasure one may possess in this life; therefore the admonition expressed in our lesson topic is an excellent one. The Wise Man placed a high value on the truth. He said, “Buy the truth, sell it not.” (Prov. 23:23) But let us be very sure it is the truth to which we are holding. It is well-known that any statement taken out of context may be misunderstood. But the context of the truth is unusually broad, for it embraces the entire Bible as it presents the many facets of Jehovah God’s character and his eternal love for humankind, his plan of salvation for their redemption from sin and death through Christ, and the ultimate blessing of all the willing and obedient with everlasting life.

In the Bible Jehovah is shown to be a supreme, self-existing God of love, justice, wisdom and power, and his plans and actions are at all times in complete harmony with these godly attributes. Therefore we may be sure that any teachings that do not fully conform to these attributes of his character are not the truth. The Bible presents Jehovah as a single entity. Moses said of him, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.” (Deut. 6:4) Through the Prophet Isaiah Jehovah said, “There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me; … I am God, and there is none like me.” (Isa. 45:21; 46:9) The Apostle Paul wrote, “There is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (I Cor. 8:6) Paul further elaborated, “There is one body [the church] and one spirit [the Holy Spirit, the invisible power of God], one Lord [Jesus, the Head of the body of Christ, and the only begotten Son of the Father, Jehovah], one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:4-6) Thus, we see that the doctrine of the trinity is not taught in the Bible.

It has long been taught that to escape the eternal fires of hell one must accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in this present life, and that those who do so and live reasonably commendable lives will gain a heavenly reward. This teaching, too, is false. In the first place, the Bible hell is not a place of fiery torment; it is simply the condition of death, wherein “the dead know not anything.” (Eccles. 9:5,10) Furthermore, a God of love would never consign his human creation, however sinful, to an eternity of suffering, for it would be utterly contrary to his character. It is true that the Bible does teach that those—and only those—who faithfully walk in Jesus’ steps in this present life, suffering with him that they may also reign with him, will gain a heavenly reward.

But Jesus gave himself as a ransom, not only for his footstep followers of this Gospel Age, but for all mankind. Thus, in the general resurrection, all the remainder of mankind will be brought forth from the grave and given an opportunity to gain everlasting, happy life on the restored, glorious planet Earth.—I Tim. 2:5,6; Acts 3:19-22; 24:15; Isa. 45:18; John 5:28,29

Holy men of old wrote and spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, but they understood little of the heights and depths and lengths and breadths of God’s great plan of salvation for the whole world of mankind. The glorious truths of the Bible and the measureless bounds of God’s great love for mankind were largely hidden until our Lord Jesus “brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel,” and they are revealed but to the few.—II Tim. 1:10

The truth brings untold blessings to the Lord’s dear people. But it also brings great responsibilities to study to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. It is the special gift of God to those who love him with all their hearts and minds and souls. It is the sanctifying power that makes them meet for service to their Lord. It enables them to endure sufferings for Christ’s sake. It inspires them to continue striving for the hope which is laid up in heaven, whereof we learned before in the Word of the truth of the Gospel. And if faithful, it will bring glory and joy and blessing unspeakable. Blessed are your eyes for they see; and your ears, for they hear!—II Tim. 2:15; James 1:18; John 17:17; Col. 1:3-6; Matt. 13:3-23

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