For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
The word of God is truth (John 17:17) and it is absolute - contrary to popular opinion. I like to say, 'The truth not-believed is still the truth.' There is a troubling trend now where even professing Christians are choosing their stance on the sinful social issues of the day, and excusing away or re-interpreting what the Bible already clearly states on these matters. What these people view as their 'enlightenment' on such issues is actually evidence of their departure from the truth, and perhaps from the faith. The truth of God delivered with the anointing of the Spirit of truth will always cut to the heart. Because truth doesn't change, it is the individual heart that must respond. There are only two real options. We must choose to accept it and change for better, or reject it and change for worse. Following are two biblical events which will clearly illustrate the two heart responses that the same truth can provoke:
(1) The apostle Peter has just finished preaching to a multitude. He plainly preached that they had indeed rejected and killed the Christ, whom God has now raised to life (with authority to give eternal life).
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
Acts 2:37-41
(2) Stephen had just preached one of the most amazing sermons clearly outlining the history of the Hebrew nation and told the multitude that Jesus Christ, who they had betrayed and killed, was the promised Messiah foretold by all the faithful prophets.
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Acts 7:54-58
Let's all be careful to choose the right response. Receive and do the commands of God's written word (James 1:21-25; 2 Tim 3:16-17); accept the chastening of the Lord which is for our good and proof of His love (Heb 12:5-11;Rev 3:19); and accept the admonition of Christian leaders and fellow believers who care for our souls (Prov 27:5; Titus 1:13; Heb 13:17). Let's also refuse to gloss over sin no matter where it is found, and refuse to ignore or quench the pinpricks of conscience within ourselves. Truth that cuts to the heart can also make your heart free.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
John 14:6a
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free...Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 8:32,36
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