Reactions to the Truth

E.R. Hall Jr.

 In the Bible we see different reactions to the truth. We would like to think that all people’s reactions would be to ACCEPT truth and, indeed, we read of those who did. Those three thousand Jews on the day of Pentecost did. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41). Yet, this is not the reaction found throughout the Scriptures.

When some heard the truth, they DELAYED. Such was the case when Paul preached the truth to Felix. “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” (Acts 24:25).

Yet, there were those who outright DECLINED and IGNORED the truth. After Jesus told the rich young ruler what to do to have eternal life, the Scriptures reveal: “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19:22). When Agrippa heard the truth preached to him, he said to Paul, “…Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (Acts 26:28).

As if it is not bad enough to delay, decline, and ignore the truth, we find where some were ANGERED and HATED the truth. Paul asked the Christians in Colossie “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16).

Some even set themselves up to OPPOSE the truth. “And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.” (Acts 13:6-8)

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What is your reaction to the truth revealed in these verses? “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16). “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25).