Is truth necessary to salvation?
Introduction. The common belief is, "it does not matter what you believe just as long as you are sincere." Truth to the average person is simply not that important in religious matter. However, let us turn to God's word and see how necessary truth is in the matter of one's salvation.
Must be known. One must know the truth in order to be made free of the bondage of sin (John 8:32). To "know the truth" means to embrace and imbibe the truth (see also Romans 6:17,18).
Must be obeyed. One must obey the truth, according to Peter, in order for one's soul to be purified (1 Pet. 1:22).
Worship. One must worship God in truth. Jesus said, "God is s spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Worshipping God according to the commandments of men constitute vain or empty worship (Mk. 7:7).
Must abide. One must abide in the truth in order to be a faithful child of God. "Whosoever transgresseth," John wrote, "and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9).
Conclusion. Hence, the truth is necessary to be free of the bondage of sin, to purification, to acceptable worship, and to having the Father and the Son. The truth is found in the Bible (Gal. 2:14). We can understand the truth and understand the truth and understand it alike (Eph. 3:4, 5:10). Therefore, God does not wink at ignorance (Acts. 17:30). However, man must put forth effort or seek the truth. Jesus promised "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7).
Must be known. One must know the truth in order to be made free of the bondage of sin (John 8:32). To "know the truth" means to embrace and imbibe the truth (see also Romans 6:17,18).
Must be obeyed. One must obey the truth, according to Peter, in order for one's soul to be purified (1 Pet. 1:22).
Worship. One must worship God in truth. Jesus said, "God is s spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Worshipping God according to the commandments of men constitute vain or empty worship (Mk. 7:7).
Must abide. One must abide in the truth in order to be a faithful child of God. "Whosoever transgresseth," John wrote, "and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9).
Conclusion. Hence, the truth is necessary to be free of the bondage of sin, to purification, to acceptable worship, and to having the Father and the Son. The truth is found in the Bible (Gal. 2:14). We can understand the truth and understand the truth and understand it alike (Eph. 3:4, 5:10). Therefore, God does not wink at ignorance (Acts. 17:30). However, man must put forth effort or seek the truth. Jesus promised "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7).