Skip to main content

"But He that Doeth Truth," John 3:19-21

John 3:19-21

In verse 21, the Savior observes "But he that doeth truth, cometh to the light, that he deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

I am focused on the phrase "He that doeth truth" and there are footnotes on the last two words.

Doeth - TG, Good Works

2 Chronicles 15:7 - Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
Alma 9:27-28 - if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ;
Titus 3:8 - ...that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.

Truth - TG, Truth

Continue this study, on the point of truth. Truth is not what we think it is, reality through human perception, but rather the reality of things as they really are in the presence by God, whose knowledge, understanding, perception, and love are perfect. There is a difference between eternal truth and perceived fact.

"For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world." (Ether 4:12)

Perhaps a broader definition is found in Jacob 4:13 -
Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.

The Psalmist said "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth." The law is truth, not men's interactions with the law. Not men's perception of history. Rather the law of God, the standard which He has set for our return to Him, that is truth. That is the reality of things as they really are.

Of the four accounts of the Savior's ministry, the book of John is the only book to work with and discuss the theme of truth throughout its pages. It is interesting that the very last reference to truth in that book was the question that Pilate asked in the presence of Christ, "What is truth?"
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Let Your Light So Shine," Matthew 5:3-16

Matthew 5:3-16 These verses are ringing out in my ears this morning as a cry for repentance. Alma 60:23 - "...Remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." Revisiting these brief statements of hope, I paused on "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." The Savior doesn't offer much explanation on how this would happen or why or anything of the sort. But then I cross referenced footnotes until I arrived at Isaiah 60:20 . I went back and read the entire chapter. Doing so, it becomes clearly evident that those who ever had cause to mourn, will -- in some great future day-- never have cause to mourn again. Understanding this also gives pause to lessen the pains of present challenges. -------- This brings us to consider one of the great oxymorons of  Christ's teachings: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and gl
Post a Comment
Read more

"For In Such an Hour as Ye Think Not," Matthew 24:36-51

Matthew 24:36-51 , At the end of this chapter, the Savior is discoursing on the time of his Second Coming. This proceeds the three parables about the end of times: the virgins, the talents, and the sheep and goats. In JST-Matthew 1:39-40 , it talks of how the elect will see the signs of his coming, but that ultimately, no one knows when that day shall come except that we are told that it will come when we do not expect to see it. It will be "business as usual" until the day of His Coming. That is humbling because today is a day of "business as usual." And so what Christ is saying is that it will be a day, just like today, when He comes again.  Vs. 48 sums up the whole of it: "Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh."
Post a Comment
Read more

"A Sower Went Forth to Sow," Matthew 13:1-23

Matthew 13:1-23 The parable of the sower as taught in these verses I feel is fairly well known. What follows the Savior's initial instructions however is notably decisive in explaining the difference between the true disciples of Christ, and those who will casually pass by to listen, but with no intent to act on what is heard. There is much to study here, but what is curious about this passage is that I find there are distinct parallels between these fundamental teachings of Christ, and in the early recorded scriptural documents in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For example, compare Matthew 13:11 with Doctrine and Covenants 6:11-12
Post a Comment
Read more