The pursuit of truth exceeds the definitions that
modern epistemology embraces. Merriam-Webster's definition for epistemology is the study or a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity. A Christian’s search of truth, however, is deeper than that. The pursuit of Kingdom Truth is not a investigation of knowledge or science, because knowledge and science, in their own end, fluctuate indiscriminately dependent upon new
discoveries that in the indeterminate future will very probably be proven incorrect or need adjustment. The
truth of God’s Kingdom, that encompasses the entirety of how truth is manifested
from God, is unchanging and constant. It is stable and never needs adjustment.
Therefore, when I say we endeavor to grow in biblical truth, in actuality
biblical truth is a part of what I have come to define as Kingdom Truth.
Earlier in my blogs I listed the types of truth that make up what you can call
Kingdom Truth.
See the list again
Truth in the Kingdom of God
(ALMOST
ALWAYS PRECEDED BY MERCY)
Truth
of God in His Character- Ex. 34:6;
Jer 10:10
Truth
of God in His Word- John 17:17; Ps
119:160; 1 Thess. 2:13
Truth
of God in His Spirit- John 16:13; 1
John 4:6
Truth
of God in His Law- Ps 119:142
Truth
of God in our Lives and His Ways- Way of Truth- Ps. 119:130; 2 Pet. 2:2
Truth
of God in His works- Dan 4:37
Spiritual
truths in doctrines-Gal. 5:7; 3:1
Jesus
is- John 14:6
The
message of the gospel- Col 1:5
The
anointing- 1 John 2:27
Character
Truth- Way of righteousness
Each of these expressions of truth are linked and
one will not contradict the other. Our problem isn’t however whether these
things are truth or not. Our problem is learning to interpret them accurately
so we don’t create strongholds of thinking that take a truth and make it The
Truth without considering the balancing factors coupled together. I’ve observed
that when someone becomes enamored with one particular truth, in let’s say for
example, God’s grace, and willfully ignores God’s holiness, the incorrect
emphasis builds an unhealthy understanding of who God is in truth and
eventually will produce a lifestyle that is contrary to what Christianity should
look like in practice. Therefore, it we’re going to deal with our individual
filters, we have to learn how to properly interpret the truths in God’s
Kingdom.
The accumulation of knowledge, for the sake of
bettering human life and understanding how things work, is not a bad thing. But
knowledge of itself does not produce lasting stability and honorable character.
For this reason, the search for truth cannot consist of merely the search for spiritual and biblical knowledge. It must include the discovery of what is foundational in God and buried at
the base of what is life, as it genuinely exists. That means you have to dig. Now
consider this!
An
incorrect interpretation of anything eventually corrupts the application of
what is misinterpreted.
INTERPRETATION & APPLICATION AFFECT EACH OTHER
How we interpret and apply the Scriptures
inadvertently affect each other. If you misinterpret what you read in the Bible or about God, then you
will consequently misapply the principles and topics you’re investigating. Our
application is therefore determined by our understanding. How you consequently live, therefore, is a manifestation of what you believe to be truth. We therefore expose
our belief systems on a daily basis, even though we may not be consciously aware
of it. I have been thinking a lot about the issue of conscience as of late. I'm increasingly aware that I often stand up for things or refute others that
many people don’t understand and rationalize away. It’s hit me that I do so
because of what I believe to be truth in my conscience. On the other hand when
I observe well-meaning individuals carry on with life doing things I know to be
offensive to God, contrary to His Word, and insensitive to what His Spirit requires,
I realize that their conscience may not be developed in the same way as mine,
because they have accepted another so-called truth, which is really not truth
at all. This is a major dilemma and frightening if you consider that a vast
number of believers have never even learned the most basic of Christian
doctrine. Therefore, at some point in the future of this blog I want to write
about conscience. It intrigues me and concerns me for our generations. So
before we launch into another message about the pursuit of Kingdom Truth will
you ask yourself one question? What filters am I interpreting Kingdom Truth
through? You see how you interpret
truth will determine how you apply it! The truths you believe, are apparent to
others because of how you live. Choosing to love the truth of God is a risky
thing because people don’t think that way. Living Kingdom truth generally goes
cross grain of human rationale because it isn’t religious; it’s foundationally spiritual. They
love the truths of their feelings, experiences, and philosophies- if those can
be called truth, their translations of the Bible and the list goes on. In my
next blog I will begin to describe the 4 standards required for accurate
interpretation of Kingdom Truth. Buckle your seat belts! This is gonna be a fun
ride!
