Truth Seeks Truth

In this article I will first explain two definitions to show the reader my perspective of these words and how I am using them. For Bible reference see the Biblical Resource at the end of this article).

Definition of LIMIT
For this illustration Limit is a point of no tolerance. In a group-home for behaviorally challenged teens most behavioral outbursts were tolerable and dealt with. But if a teen should interfere with the staff’s treatment of or help in a critical situation with another teen, then the interfering teen would have hit or reached a limit. On that same day he would be taken out of the group-home and placed in a secure facility for further placement; but never to return to that group-home.

If we publicly deny the work of the Holy Spirit (blasphemy) for our own gain most likely as a deliberate premeditated act against God, we would loose salvation and perhaps we were never born again to begin with. That’s a limit in disobedience to God the Father (Mark 3:28-29 & Matthew 12:31-32).

Definition of RECURSIVE
Mathematics & Linguistics: relating to or involving the repeated application of a rule, definition, or procedure, or event to successive results for an outcome.

Computing: relating or involving a program or routine of which a part the computer programing code requires the application of the whole computer programing code so that the explicit interpretation requires, in general, many successive executions of the code; the final event comes into reality’s existence (presents itself). this type of code is common in a computer generated parts list for electronic prototyping.

Now the Article Truth Seeks Truth

When God made some statements it appeared He changed His mind (Genesis 6:6-8, Jonah 3:10, Exodus 32:14).But we know God doesn’t change His mind. (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17, Numbers 23:19). Let me give you an illustration of a little boy as one possible answer (a more evangelical conservative answer).

Then I’ll give another possible theological answer.

A dad watched his boy play ball hockey with the hard orange ball and not the softer, less dangerous ball, in the driveway. Yet again; outright defiance! But the father understood the peer pressure his son had among the other boys, and his mom passing away not long ago. But the father won’t harm his son by letting things go. He is a just father. The boy has hit a limit.

Boys playing Hockey

The father’s intention (truth) is to block the unused driveway by putting a small building on it. He will do it so that it is impossible for the boys to play there. Every time they see the new little building they would remember this and learn from it. That’s an absolute truth. They can’t use it.

At the same time he said to himself that if the boy would plead with him from the heart and show remorse then he would, on the fly (recursive time), allow the boy to continue playing and the father would actually build up the sides of the driveway to allow the game to be played more enjoyably. He will also give them a ball that is hard enough to use but be completely safe.

He went to the boy. He told the boy the absolute truth that he and his friends will no longer use the driveway.

The boy pleading with him, said ‘mom use to like watching us play. I will never never use the hard ball again. You have my word on it, father.”

Then the father said the absolute truth that he can use the driveway. He said I promise you I will build this driveway to allow for more freedom playing ball hockey and will give you a ball that will be perfect.

You see this is an explanation based on our time and space.
In the father’s heart he did not lie, nor change his mind, nor mislead the boy. Truth seeks truth. He sought the boys truth from the boy’s heart and it matched his own truth, recursively. Thus God knew beforehand.

Jesus, Son Of God The Father, in Jesus Covenantal Relationship, is the intermediator between the Father and sinful man. God the Father can not face sin, But Jesus, as the intermediator, in the Old Testament can interact and have a personal, down to earth, relationship with man, and He does. The classic example is in Genesis 3:9 ‘where are you? … Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”’ in God’s covenantal relationship.

God is all sovereign, will not change His mind, nor compromise His will and purpose; yes purpose. He went to Moses and Noah with a purpose not just a will. As their truth from the heart matched His foreknowledge truth, so His truth is revealed foreknown from before the formation of the world. The will and purpose go hand in hand. Deep in (Numbers 23:19) we see a God of great truth and clarity, unmovable, yet a God of great compassion and a gracious God abounding in love and faithfulness (from Psalm 86:15). He speaks truth and acts in the same truth; He promises in truth and fulfills in the same truth.

In time and space and all things visible and invisible, light and darkness, all the formation that Jesus spoke into existence
Colossians 1:15-20  includes quantum physics, of which exists and is one of the fabrics of the time-space continuum we dwell in; created for us for God’s glory. In Quantum physics, as we observe a subatomic particle, it’s behavior changes just by our observation. This leads to multiple outcomes from the one element. I often wonder if this could be the level where God changes outcomes, but I dare not entertain this as a mere mortal.

In God’s foreknowing he knew that man would sin and be an abomination. He knew He would wipe man off the face of the earth with a flood, less Noah and the 8. That’s an absolute truth.

He talked with Noah, and Noah pleaded with God from the heart with great sorrow. Then God said His foreknown truth for Noah to build an ark. We all know how the story goes.

But here is the point. God was foreknowing that Noah would plead with God from the heart with great great sorrow. And God foreknew He would have Noah build the ark. Jesus pre incarnate has a relationship with Noah.

From our limitations in time and space there seems to be 2 foreknowing truths of the same truth. How can that be. In quantum physics it’s easily explained as possible recursive realities in time/space, and one becomes the reality.

How much more possible is recursive time with God existing outside of the formation of all things visible and invisible.

Remember this: There is not an iota in The God Breathed Bible that is contradictory. Some things are secret and some things are revealed that we may follow all the words of this law, His Book (from Deuteronomy 29:29).

The Bible (Special Revelation) will never contradict itself. As God reveals more truth from His handiwork, such as science, (General Revelation) even then we will learn more about Him as the creator for His glory. Over 82% of all scientists were Christians for a reason (as of 1992); something to think about.

I personally have considered that as energy transcends to matter and matter transcends to energy; So to absolute love transcends to absolute truth and absolute truth transcends to absolute love in an infinite state of recursive transcending; not a theology folks 

The (Philippians 4:7) verse  touches on the unexplained attributes of God’s Love – and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In conclusion, we see two truths as contradictory truths on the same relationship reality, but God already determined the final truth which, in recursive time, always was the absolute truth. It is simply beyond our understanding.

My purpose is not to attempt an explanation or clever way to explain it, but rather to make it clear we cannot question God’s morals and values or His ways. In our hearts we must make this a limit in obedience. The fact that because there is already one possible explanation from God’s gift of quantum physics, with our very limited knowledge, how much more and how many more explanations are there with the infinite God? Praise His name. Like we say to the little ones, it’s just the way it is, for now. To be sure Jesus is the Person of the Triune God who establishes a covenantal relationship (give and take – real dialogue) with humanity, for God’s glory and benefiting us whom He loves Exodus 4:10-18; Jude 1:5 

To whom do we love?

In the past few years I have talked to quite a few people who have expressed a concern they don't feel a love for God or more specifically Jesus our Lord and Saviour. This has always been a bit surprising to me, based on the fact that Christianity is not a religion. It is an ever growing relationship between God and us individually.

I appreciated their honesty and assured them the relationship will grow. I also encouraged them to read the Bible more and some say they are very faithful to that end.

Years ago, after my group finished, I reflected on an interesting statement I heard. "I Don't love Jesus but I need Him." Each person probably thinks he or she are the only ones that say something like this. There are many sides to this but I will touch two of them; culture and existing relationships.

First off, one of God's way of expressing His love for us is by providing for us; providing for our needs.

Matthew 6:25-26 (NET)
(ESV) Do Not Be Anxious
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Ah! Where have I heard this before? In Asian cultures a parent's love is expressed in providing food, clothing, shelter, and education for their children.

From a North American culture they may see this as being authoritative and seem too strict or righteous in an Asian Christian family.

Romans 8:32 (NET)
(ESV)
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

From a Western culture, they also provide these needs for their own children but cling to giving affectionate love and encouragement as a high priority and secondly they plug their children into education. They feed them as they feed themselves with a gracious, well intended, but different heart. They provide from a different perspective.

From an Asian culture they may see this Western approach as not being responsible enough.

Of course these differences in provisions overlap each other in the various cultures; it's not that contrasted. The priorities of how we all raise our children are different, hence the expression of love is different.

So here is my point. Now that we have cultures aside, let's look at the relationship. For this exercise I want you the reader to put yourself in the story below. Even if you know you love Jesus, there are times the relationship may seem distant. I'll refer to the reader as you to make it easier to experience this as experientially as possible.

Let's say you are upset about something that happened. It's pretty traumatic, a death in the family or a chronic illness. You express you don't love Jesus or God, or both, but you know you need Him.

Now you head off to your small group and in that group you look up to the leader. He or she is a strong Christian with sound Biblical knowledge. You approach them and explain your crises privately before the group starts. The leader talks to you, prays on the spot POTS, and you are comforted; the pain subsides for a little while. It doesn't seem hopeless now. Then when the group starts and it's time to share, you tell of your crises. But you tell the group that you feel ok now thanks to the leader's wisdom and prayer. Praise God!

You make public statements about how you love the leader and how it's so nice to be in this group.

But wait a minute. Just who helped you? Was it the leader or God? You gave glory to God but what about the relationship?

You know the answer. It was God through the leader, through the leader.

You see, you love the one that helps you; the one that cares about you. You love the one that walks with you through life. Granted the leader is a willing instrument who does love and care for you. But it was God all along through the leader.

Now I ask you to reflect on the times others truly helped you; others that nurtured you in a time of need. This also applies to those who have not found Jesus yet.

You see, again it was God all along that was and is with you. You love the one that walks with you through life. You love God. You love Jesus. You just were looking at the wrong person, through the wrong eyes. Just take the leader, man, out of that role and put Jesus in that role of which He actually was and is in.

This will take a while to get your heart around. But it's real.

From an Asian culture perspective, God met your needs in providing encouragement and Biblical education, through God's instruments of the leader and group.

From a Western point of view, God supported you emotionally through the comfort of God's instrument, the leader and group.

Evil forces want to convince you that the leader is great. He or she is an amazing comforter. But no, this is the deception.

A sponge is an amazing thing. A synthetic sponge can absorb over 8 times its weight. It can take away a lot of liquid.

Not seeing God or Jesus as the provider that we are talking about is like a sponge absorbing God's flow of grace that was meant to flow to you in your relationship with God and His Son Jesus.

Every breath of prayer you prayed or thoughts you thought towards God, was interceded for you by Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour, before the formation of the world. In our lives He is waiting for us to acknowledge Him in prayer and through His word, even though He knew it before all creation was created.

Revelation 3:20 (NET) 
(NIV)
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 

Philippians 4:6-7 (NET)
(NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Isaiah 45:22 (NET)
KJV
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and their is none else

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The Sabbath

Behold The Holy One's Beauty. Such a gift along with the Sabbath. May we cherish this day set aside for us

I have some rhetorical questions to get the wheels in our minds turning a bit for you. What has more weight, God the Father's actions or words? Or are they not one and the same? Does God speak to us through action, in others, and events, as well as words and dreams?

Then how much more does He speak to us in His actions directly from Himself? His actions speak louder than our comprehension of His words, and hopefully give clear insight as to the interpretation of His word, the Bible.

What God does in action does speak louder than our understanding of His word, and perhaps give us precise meaning of His God breathed words.

As I see it, God did actually rest on the Sabbath, the 7th day.

On top of that He "God breathed" the Sabbath into His Book (2 Timothy 3:16-17), the Bible, (Genesis 2:1-3), and as you see below, in the 10 Commandments.

God put these Commandments, including the Sabbath in His own hand writing in the tablets (Exodus 20:8-11); called the Decalogue).

And on top of that He put these Commandments, including the Sabbath, in His own hand writing them a second time. Moses smashed the first set, when he was upset with an idolatrous people. However God was not caught off guard and said 'Now I have to go and make another set'. It was repeated which makes these 10 commandments more important. It speaks to me that one of God's reasons maybe to say here is a set for the Old Testament and photo copy of it, sort of speak, for the New Covenant. My point is it's the same 10 Commandments in the Old and New Testaments; interesting.

The love of God, the grace of God, and the Sabbath survived and stands true through all the covenants of our compassionate and gracious God, who is slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Amen (from Psalm 86:15). 

What else can God do to put it into our hearts ( Joshua 1:8), to keep the Sabbath His day (Matthew 5:17-20) and our day as a gift for us. This is an unconditional loving gift to us (Mark 2:27) that we may bathe in all His glorious grace and also glorify Him; all in the amazing, magnificent relationship we have with Him and He with us, His covenantal relationship with us.

In the Pentateuch (first 5 books in the Bible) there are 3 types of law, the civil laws were given for the culture of Israel, the ceremonial laws for the customs of the nation. The decalogue (10 commandments - Deca means 10) is God's eternal law across all covenants found in the Old and New Testaments.

Note: The 2 sets of laws, the civil and ceremonial laws were specific to set Israel apart from the other nations; to make Israel holy - set apart to God, from other nations. Again, the set of laws that carry forward is the decalogue. The Sabbath is one of them; less we chisel it away!

Perhaps the question should not be whether or not we keep the Sabbath, rather what does the Sabbath look like in the New Testament? In the Old Testament if one commits murder then they get the death penalty from 2 or more witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15). Because of Jesus work on the cross, and the fact we are given the Holy Spirit, the bar is risen, not lowered. If we think hate or desire to hurt someone, we have committed murder in God's eyes; irregardless of witnesses. Is the bar raised in how we keep the Sabbath?

Of note: Matthew 24:19-20 says we should pray that the end of days great tribulation is not on a Sabbath. It sounds like Jesus knows the Sabbath is important, and right up to His second coming.

When we look at the worship and the atonement system in the Old Testament where we didn't have Jesus completed work on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice, yet they were to obey the Sabbath. I ask myself, in view of God's mercy, how much more are we to collectively give praise, worship, and service to the same holy God, and also in our daily lives (Romans 12:1)? One or 2 Sabbath days, plus in our daily life, giving service for God; now that would really raising the bar! Hopefully it is a little more clear that we don't chisel out the 4th commandment.

I have a little humorous imagery here, bear with me :) If the Sabbath were the last commandment, maybe it can be chipped or eroded away over time. That's not the case here. Its not the 5th commandment on one of the 2 tablets holding 5 commandments each, if they indeed did. The tablet would look rather damaged or incomplete with the first 3 commandments not chipped away and the 4 commandment (the Sabbath) chipped away and then the 5th commandment Honor our father and mother not chipped away.

Well that's my humor. However do I think it's clear there is some kind of Sabbath we should keep (time set aside for God for our benefit and to glorify Him). There is a commitment for collective worship which by nature needs to have people, the saints. In Acts 2:42-47 there was a commitment to community worship every day. It is a gift of God not a punishment nor a legalistic law just to obey it. The Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27). I know for myself I need a break of some sort after 6 days of work, especially if it is intense work. I find it interesting that if a company worked people hard 7 days a week with no break for months, the world would frown upon it; and rightly so. I appreciate it as a gift and I enjoy using it as time spent with the creator of all things; Jesus (Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:2). Some say we must keep the Sabbath on Sundays, others Saturday and so on. Now I'm not being smart here, but I think, if possible, why not keep both days for the Lord; a great solution :). You see it's about the heart and showing love by obeying the law 1 John 3:18, not about legalism. What comfort it is for me that as a Born Again Christian, I have a day I can rest from all the busyness and meditate in His Sabbath rest spiritually, and physically. I am assured that by Jesus death on the cross and resurrection for all who have sinned yet come to Jesus will find Jesus Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:1-13) and have joy in the Lord on at least one Sabbath time of rest. May you find rest in Jesus and it be expressed in worship to the Glory of His name. Amen.

Look Unto God

In our daily trials and sufferings we should look to God, and this through constant prayer - dialogue with Him - in every aspect of our life, putting faith in Him alone.

God's beauty is seen even in a broken world. And, in action, look for His answers in ways He speaks to us; His part of the dialogues. These include: being in His Word, through others, and through discerned events and signs in our life.

Look to God does not mean we exclude our brothers and sisters' help and prayers for us. The more who join us in prayer for our challenges and pain, the more grace God has given to those who are asked to help and pray with and for us. This gives much more glory to God than asking God ourselves only. The potential glory will increase the potential power of our corporate prayers, according to His will, for God's glory. So in the Christian walk, we must include quiet time - Bible time with journaling.

Here are some of the verses I often practice as part of my mornings. It is a great guideline:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NET)
(ESV)
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.

From First Thessalonians 5 Verses 16 to19,
to rejoice always,
pray often and keep Christ the Centre all our daily activities,
give thanks in all our circumstances, because it is the will of God in Jesus Christ for our benefit, don't suppress the Holy Spirit when guided or convicted and we don't stop sharing the all the great work The Holy Spirit is doing in us; boast in the Triune God's work.

Proverbs 16:9 (NET)
(ESV)
9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.

Then from Proverbs 16 verse 9, we exercise our freedom, true freedom, when, in our hearts we freely plan our course to take an action. Then the Lord will determine our steps, continuing to guide us according to His sovereign will.

Always share the work God has done and is doing in and through us during our challenge or pain. In other words don't keep silent the Holy Spirit's work in us.

Take great comfort that God will answer all our prayers according to His will.

Romans 1:15-17 (NET)
(ESV)
5 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
(The Righteous Shall Live by Faith)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

From Romans 1 Verses 15 to 17
May we hear and share the gospel always; may we never give any of this up even unto our very last breath.

Finally, praise Him for His presence in our lives, among our brothers and sisters, and in our churches through the Holy Spirit and the Father's Son Christ Jesus; all this to the ends of the earth. Amen!