Walk of Life – Day 23 – November 2020 – Thoughts from the Book of Proverbs
Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. Proverbs 23:23
The Lord Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh to the Father but by me.” John 14:6
The truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, the truth of the Gospel, the truth of salvation, is something that is very very precious. The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan has an account of Christian and Faithful entering the Vanity Fair. “This is a fair is kept all the year long. It bears the name of Vanity Fair, because the town where ’tis kept is lighter than vanity; and also because all that is there sold, or that comes thither is vanity. Therefore at this fair are all such merchandise sold: as houses, lands, trades, places, honors, titles, countries, kingdoms; lusts, pleasures, and delights of all sorts.” These two pilgrims were looked at mockingly because their raiment was different, they spoke a different language, and they were not willing to buy of anything sold in the fair. When they were asked, they said, we only buy the truth. Both Solomon and John Bunyan do not just suggest that we know, understand, or seek the truth but that we buy the truth and we do not sell it at any cost.
You may say, salvation is free, yes free it is but Christ paid the price. And if I compromise with the world in any way, I am crucifying the Lord Jesus afresh. Only buying the truth – That would mean too much importance is given to things that are fading away or passing away. Just pause for a moment and think how much did I contribute this month for the furtherance of the kingdom of God as compared to the things of this world. How much time have I spent with the Lord and His word when compared with other things?
Second, it implies that you are willing to buy the truth at any price. If you lose life itself for the sake of the truth, it is a worthwhile investment. The Lord Jesus said “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Mathew 19:29 Persecution is always worth the price. It means you will do whatever it takes. We have heard several stories of persons who left their all to follow the Lord Jesus.
Third, it means you buy ALL the truth. There is no choice here. You cannot select certain things in the Bible that seem favorable to you and live according to it and leave out the rest comfortably. Every word in the Bible is true. I will believe it fully and live by it at all costs.
You may now ask, how do I know if I have sold the truth. This reminds me of Esau who sold his birthright for a meal of lentil stew. Sometimes we do not take Christ seriously. We live casual lives and think that if we ask the Lord forgiveness He will forgive us. But always remember that if you repeatedly grieve the Spirit of God, you would have quenched the Spirit eventually. We say we belong to Christ but in everyday situations we take the easy way out. We do not stand by the truth always and do not take up our cross daily. Also, if I place the affections of the world above my communion with the Lord Jesus, I would have sold the truth. If you let in too much of the world into your life, it may seem harmless but eventually it would eat into your walk with the Lord. If anything becomes more important than the Lord Jesus then we need to examine our lives again. Love this tract, am quoting a few sentences from it “Others may I cannot”
“The temptations are there, to eat like others, dress like others, live like others but these others who have no cross to bear are not a pattern for me. We cannot keep the same pace – I have a goal, which they know nothing about. Others may serve some other gods – I cannot – my God is in Heaven, these gods are in this passing world. I am born to burn for God. I neither will bend nor bow to any other god no matter how popular with others.
Others may lay up for themselves treasures in banks, they must prepare for rainy days. I cannot lay up here for where my treasure is, there, Jesus told me my heart will be. If I am not wise, my heart will be locked up in a safe deposit box and would miss the coming glory. You may do as you please; I cannot serve God and mammon. Others may fret and worry over material things and excuse themselves for so doing. Others may kill themselves in their pursuit for a place or position in life. Others may have their hearts and heads on earth; my feet are on earth, my head is up, and my heart is in heaven, Lord, thou knowest. Others may; I must not, I will not, I cannot.
Others may be loved by their unbelieving relatives. I will not deny the faith to obtain favour of men. My Lord did not make a mistake when He told me: “a man’s foes shall be they of his own household”. Others may compromise and let down or lower the standard a little so as to save their lives from ridicule or persecution, I cannot. His word is ever too fresh in my heart: “Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” When He said whosoever, He was solemnly warning me. “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you: for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” If I live, as my Lord desires, I will receive enough persecution, ridicule, reviling, false accusation, as to put a weight of glory on me up above. Others can laugh now while I walk along the way of the Cross. He that laughs last laughs best.”
