Ecclesiastes 7-9 2 Corinthians 13

“We cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” (2 Corinthians 13:8 NCV)

As Paul wrapped up his defense of the gospel he left the Corinthians with two things to consider. The first was that he wasn’t concerned about winning for himself, but that the Corinthians would be seen to be doing the right thing. The second was that no matter what people might say about him and his companions, they would always work for truth. Paul didn’t just say that they were compelled to do the truth, he said that they couldn’t do anything against the truth. He didn’t use the words “even if we tried,” but he could have. When God is leading someone, they can’t work against Him. When God isn’t guiding, it’s easy to work against the truth.

That’s the razor’s edge to determine if a ministry is really of God or not. If God is guiding the work, it will work in truth and lead people to the truth. The truth, of course, being the gospel message, that Jesus died for us, according to the Scriptures, He rose again, and He was seen by many who believed and a few who didn’t until after they saw Him. If a ministry or church is pointing you towards the gospel, and growing in grace, they are living truth. On the other hand, if a ministry or church changes the message even slightly, it isn’t truth. Anything or anyone that teaches “Jesus plus…” is teaching untruth. They are, in fact proclaiming falsehoods. Usually, organizations that proclaim a “Jesus plus…” approach to life have an answer to that “plus” that brings them extra money. Maybe it’s a course that they teach; maybe it’s “holy gear” that you have to buy; maybe that plus is a certain level of offering that you have to meet. If you want to establish a relationship with God, turn to Jesus. If you want to grow in your relationship with God, trust Jesus. There are things God may lead you to do because you’re living in His grace. For instance, we may start reading God’s word. We may recognize that following Christ is best done in community and not individually. We should recognize that when we are living in the grace of God, things aren’t as important as people and we should be finding ways to help others. All of these things, and more, should be done either to live the truth in our own lives or help other people see the joy of living in truth. If you can do something that’s contrary to the message of the gospel, you aren’t being led by God. Live each day in the truth and help change the world as they see the joy of living in God’s truth.

Lord, let my life proclaim truth to a world that seeks advantage in any way possible. Draw people to Yourself as those who are already following You live Your truth joyfully.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.