In Isaiah we read. . .
“(14) Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. (15) Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.” (Isaiah 59:14-15 ESV)
Wow! Truth stumbling! Truth stumbling in the public squares! Uprightness unable to enter. The lacking of truth! And those who depart from evil because they are willing to embrace the truth become the prey!
Does that sound somewhat like the world today? However, keep in mind this was spoken of those who should have been acknowledging God and His Sovereign Will. Even today there are those who call themselves Christians who do not abide in the truth. John rejoiced over those whom he saw walking in the truth. (2 John 4 and 3 John 4) It is something to rejoice in. However, as during the first century of the church, there remain those who do not love the truth that leads to salvation. (2 Thessalonians 2:10) This departure should not surprise us since it was foretold it would occur by those who would teach what others wanted to hear and would distort the Scriptures. (Acts 20:29-30; Galatians 1:7; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Peter 3:16) It is then those who are willing to walk in the truth who become the attacked.
As we consider the stumbling, the reality is we live among people stumbling about because they are not walking in the light of the truth. This is due to an ignorance of the truth for some and the outright rejection of the truth by others. It also occurs due to neglecting to continue reading the truth so as to not be led astray by the cleverly phrased ideas of others. We need to continue growing in our understanding and maturing in Christ so as to not be tossed about and carried away by false doctrine and human ideologies cleverly presented. (Ephesians 4:11-14) We are to stand firmly on the truth of God’s Word while we speak it in love (Ephesians 4:15) to those who need to understand there is truth of eternal consequence (i.e. John 14:6) to be acknowledged.
As Jude ended his short letter, he wrote. . .
“(24) Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, (25) to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24-25 ESV)
May we continue humbly surrendering to the wisdom of our Creator and so glorify Him by walking on His stable path and in the clear light of The Truth!
Have a great day REMAINING ON GOD’S RIGHTEOUS PATH!
Carl
