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Scripture teaches us that discernment and truth are intimately linked to our obedience to God. The central theme of "Know the Truth" is captured effectively by Jesus Himself in John 7:17-18: "If anyone chooses to do God’s will, they will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him." This passage speaks directly to the heart of what it means to know and discern divine truth through obedience.
John's Gospel situates this teaching of Jesus during the Feast of Tabernacles, a significant Jewish festival commemorating God’s provision in the wilderness. Jesus was teaching in the temple courts amidst a divided audience, some doubting His authority and others curious about His origins. The context illuminates the tension between divine truth and human suspicion. Jesus is emphasizing that true understanding of His teaching transcends human skepticism, resting instead on a heart aligned with God’s will. When the Pharisees questioned His authority, pondering over His learning without formal training, Jesus pointed them towards the essence of spiritual discernment: a willing heart to do God's will.
Let us focus on two key Greek words:
### 1. "Thelē" (θέλει)
This word is translated as “chooses” or “wills.” In its essence, "thelē" indicates a deliberate decision or a determined purpose. It is not an accidental participation; rather, it reflects an active choice to be in alignment with God's desire. A deeper understanding reveals that knowing God's truth begins with our intentional choice to submit to His will.
### 2. "Alētheia" (ἀλήθεια)
Translated as "truth," the Greek "alētheia" embodies not just factual correctness, but reality as it is established by divine revelation. It implies authenticity and dependability. Jesus's use of “alētheia” indicates a truth revealed to those who earnestly seek God's will, transforming belief into experiential knowledge of divine principles.
*Stanza One*: The lyrics begin with a reiteration of Jesus’s teaching: the active choice to do God's will leads to an understanding of His divine truth. The choice to "find out" links directly to experiencing divine truth, an experience which transcends mere intellectual acknowledgment.
*Scriptural Cross-reference*: Proverbs 3:5-6 advises us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This proverb reinforces that understanding is birthed in submission to God’s will.
*Stanza Two*: The declaration that the teachings of Jesus derive from the Father’s love underscores His divine mission—one not seeking personal glory but pointed towards glorifying God. This reflects the selfless nature of true ministry, as seen in John 6:38 where Jesus states, "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."
*Stanza Three*: The repeated call to "do His will" reinforces the idea that active obedience unlocks the revelation of truth. The consistency in the message signifies the importance Jesus placed on obedience as a means to discernment.
*Spiritual Reality*: This teaching speaks to a profound spiritual truth: in spiritual warfare, our greatest weapon is adherence to God’s will. It is in submission we find authority, as James 4:7 teaches: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
To live out the message encapsulated in this song, consider these steps:
1. Choose Intentionally: Begin each day by consciously deciding to align your heart and mind with God's desires. In the quietness of your morning, make a deliberate choice: “Today, I choose to do Your will, Lord.”
2. Seek God’s Glory Over Self-Glory: Evaluate your intentions. Are you seeking your own recognition in matters of faith, or do you seek to glorify the One who sent you? Let Philippians 2:3 guide you: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit."
3. Engage in Obedience: Engage actively in God’s commands and teachings. James 1:22 reminds us to "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Obedience is the pathway to understanding.
4. Establish a Proclamation: Speak aloud God’s truth as a daily proclamation. Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), and hearing God’s Word affirmed strengthens our walk.
Proclamation: Heavenly Father, I declare today that my heart and mind choose to do Your will. As I walk in obedience, I receive Your truth, understanding that Your teachings originate from Your unfailing love. I seek Your glory, proclaiming that Jesus is my ultimate expression of Your truth.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant me the boldness to follow Your will each day. Let my understanding be rooted in obedience to Your command, and may my life reflect the glory of the Father as Yours did. Deliver me from the pursuit of self-glory, and envelope me in Your divine truth. Amen.
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