Truth Tellers.

 Truth tellers. Are you a truth teller? Is there any guile in you?

We need to be truth tellers, and the truth is- Jesus is going to return for His people-- the truth tellers. 

When we speak truth we are speaking of Jesus and His ways, a truth teller is a Jesus speaker. Yes, I said it, a Jesus speaker is a truth teller. I could lie to you. I could keep my mouth perfectly shut, my lips tightly sealed. In fact, I do that, I don't speak much aloud- my speaking is through my written words. Am I ashamed of the truth I need to tell, is that why in conversation you may find me close to silent on my living, breathing, life-giving religion?  No, at least I pray not. My shame is in not being able to confront and speak boldly my beliefs, but it's not the beliefs that keep me silent, it's my overwhelming desire to crawl into a shell around others and keep close to silent rather than spark any controversy. Does that mean I'm ashamed of my beliefs? NO. I'm ashamed of my inability to share those beliefs in such a way I don't ignite conflict from the opposing viewers. The disciples and apostles were NOT afraid of the confrontations and conflicts that the truth they shared ignited. Paul alone suffered brutally at the hands of truth haters. What is it about me that makes me keep my mouth shut- verbally? I am not a preacher! Is that my excuse? Is it a good enough excuse?  

I have a whole bunch (four or five) tee shirts with Jesus type sayings on them. I do want the world to know how I believe, but I want words other than those that come from my mouth to speak for me. I'm not ashamed. Those tee shirts have engaged me with strangers quite often- a quick word in passing- "Hey, I like your shirt!" Or, "That's right, I'm with you!" Or, "I believe too!" Or, "Where can I get that shirt?"  And I don't ignore these strangers, I respond to them, but it's not always easy. 

My tee-shirts proclaim my Christianity, but to delve into the truth on a much deeper level- I'd need an electronic scrolling tee-shirt (think miniature electronic billboard), that could contain so much more than just a few words. Then I'd need someone who could take a few hours to read my shirt message- not feasible. 

Why is this weighing heavily enough of my heart to write about? Because I want to be a truth teller, not ashamed of my truth, I want to share with others the beautiful message that truth is. Today, nostalgia for many years ago when my sister and I would give Bible studies hit me hard. Being on fire for truth, so much so we couldn't keep our mouths shut. All our friends and family were exposed to our zeal for this truth. Bible seminars had us right there at the forefront ushering people into the auditoriums handing out that night's programs. We went door to door asking for offerings, eager to spread the truth to any who showed interest. These were things we did forty years ago- in our beginning. And now…

Now we have no organized church to belong to, no forty, fifty, a hundred, two hundred  congregational believers to fellowship with. We stand alone, the church we joined having left their first love, having left their truth - choosing lies instead. We hold fast to the truth, the very unpopular, strange to those not inclined to deep Biblical exegesis- truth. 

When our Savior tells us to search as for hid treasure, that His word…2Ti_3:16… is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 1Pe 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby…2Ti_2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.    

When our Savior tells us all that truth and we choose to not dig deep into the given word of truth, we are accountable for that- eternally accountable. Once you know truth you cannot unknow that truth and you are accountable to that truth.

Heb 5:1114  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

Truth tellers are those walking the narrow way. Truth tellers are among the few that will find the narrow way. Truth tellers are unpopular. Truth tellers are called lunatics, fanatics, deluded, crazy. Truth tellers love not the world nor the things in the world. Truth tellers have their treasures in heaven. Truth tellers will drink of the cup… 

Mat 20:22  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 

Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with…

Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 

2Co 1:5  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 

2Co 1:6  And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 

2Co 1:7  And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 

2Ti 2:11  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 

2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 

Rev 1:9  I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus will stand on Mount Zion, and with Jesus 144,000 people with the name of Jesus on their foreheads. 144,000 people learning the song of those redeemed from earth, a song only they can learn. Undefiled - not deceived by the harlot- the apostate truth. Pure in truth. Pure in following Jesus wherever He goes. First fruits to God and Jesus. Truth tellers before the throne of God. 

May God help me be a truth teller even if I must suffer ridicule, be dismissed as being a touch unhinged, shunned and silenced, may I truly place my treasure in HEAVEN, unconcerned for the acceptance of the world! If I lose all my friends it will be just like this truth right from the lips of our Savior--

Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 

Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 

Mat 16:27  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 

What profit do I have if I gain/keep even a single friendship if I lose my own soul? 

God, please, keep me in Your truth always, give me a voice where you want my voice to be heard- aloud or written, use me for Your service, now and forever! In Jesus' name, amen!

Rev 14:1-5  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.