27/01/2023
HOW TO ACCESS THE TRUTH.. continued
2. RESEARCH
"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY, WHETHER THOSE THINGS WERE SO. Therefore many of them believed..." —Acts 17:10-12 (emphasis mine)
Furtherance to the initial search, as a way to access the Truth, one must also initiate research. Having located the Truth, after searched the Truth out, it's important to upgrade to the scientific approach of research. This's because every Truth found must be thoroughly investigated for one to ascertain its diversities in application.
Research means to search or examine with continued care; to seek diligently. It means to make an extensive investigation into and to search again and again. This is what can make the Truth known to anyone who have accessed the Truth through the initial search.
Many stopped at the point of search, thinking they've grasp the Truth, but their failure of engaging research on the Truth searched out, make the Truth of no use to them. A working example is noted in Hebrews 4:2, it says "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: BUT THE WORD PREACHED DID NOT PROFIT THEM, NOT BEING MIXED WITH FAITH IN THEM that heard it." (emphasis mine) The reason being that faith doesn't come by hearing once, it comes upon hearing and hearing and hearing. (Romans 10:17)
Therefore, if you stopped at the level of search, thinking you've gotten the Truth, you'll be surprised that you've only held on the wind, which will surely slip off. It's until you've engaged thorough research before you can substantially have a grip on the Truth.
3. STUDY
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." — 2 Timothy 2:15
"And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth." — Deuteronomy 28:1
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." — Joshua 1:8
The essence of every research is to lay hold on the inherent Truth. And the inherent Truth must then be continually studied, if one wants to gain success in life. Every scientific research leads to a conclusion potent enough to guide actions. If the research conclusion is not diligently studied, one is liable to misappropriate the findings. Hence, the Truth must be continually studied if one wants to always be on the same page with it.
Study, in this context, means to review materials already researched in order to make sure one doesn't forget them. It also means to acquire or refresh knowledge on the Truth with the intention of applying it in practice; that is, to fix the mind closely upon the Truth, to dwell upon the Truth in thought; to muse the Truth, and ponder on it. Study is
to endeavor diligently and to be zealously engage the Truth.
The greatest challenge of the Church is lack of study. Not that they lack the Truth, but the failure to diligently study the Truth for appropriate use is the reason they forget the Truth they've learnt, thereby living as hypocrites. In fact, many ministers are suffering from the same; their lack of adequate study of the Truth makes it difficult for them to rightly divide the word of Truth.
If you failed to study well, you'll fail in examination. Knowing the Truth is not as important as practicing the Truth. Until you've diligently studied the Truth, you won't be able to apply it for real.
4. EXPERIENCE
"for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake." — Genesis 30:27
"Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge." — Ecclesiastes 1:16
There's no better Truth as the Truth one has experienced. Experience, they say, is the best teacher. If you've once experienced deception and lies, you'll value the invaluableness of the Truth. When you're operating with the Truth, you'll never like to experience the other side of it. Experiencing the Truth is the climax of your access to the Truth. If you make it there, you'll enjoy what it means to be the master in life.
To experience the Truth is to observe certain Truth; to undergo a certain feeling or process of the Truth; or perform certain truthful actions that may alter one or contribute to one's knowledge, opinions, or skills. Experiencing the Truth is going or living through the Truth; it's undergoing the process the Truth provides. There's no such thing as regret or bad feelings while experiencing the Truth. The richest and wisest king (King Solomon) was only able to achieve that climax because he greatly experienced the Truth (as wisdom).
Worthy to note is that experiencing the Truth is what Jesus Christ called eternal life in John 17:3. In the Word of Christ, that Scripture says "this is life eternal, that they might KNOW thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Understand that the KNOW in that quotation is experiential knowledge, not casual, not mental, not inspirational.
Everyone knows God; Satan and demons also know Him to the extent that they tremble. (James 2:19) Whereas, having experiential knowledge of God is living in the reality of the being of God, living in His love, mercy and goodness. Not forgetting that God is the Truth, you'll understand why I initially said experience is the climax of your access to the Truth. For whatever you've experienced, cannot be faked to you anymore.