As we come to the end of our week of focusing on "Ask the Pastors," which has really turned into a week of focusing on the truth of God's word and how to apply it to answering our questions and living our lives, I want to remind all of us once again of the crucial statement found in the book, One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven:  It doesn't matter what you believe.  It matters what's true.

Since I read that quote, it has stayed at the forefront of my mind.  Every time I hear someone say, "Well, I believe....." and then listen to some bizarre belief concerning faith, religion, politics or even everyday matters such a child-rearing, I'm drawn back to the crucial reality:  it doesn't matter what you or I or anyone else believes---It matters what's true!  I used the illustration at the close of worship last Sunday about how I got the burn on my right forearm.  I rested my arm on what I believed was a cold gas grill.  Actually, it was quite hot--about 500 degrees!  In the matter of a second or so, I had a nice second degree burn on my forearm.  It didn't matter what I believed--the grill is cold.  It mattered what was true--the grill was hot!  The burn is healing, but I've had daily reminders for more than a week that the consequence of my false belief has been pain.

Thankfully, the consequence of physical pain as a result of my mistaken belief will remind me to be more careful in the future.  (You can bet, I won't be resting my arm on a gas grill again before I find out for sure whether it's hot or cold!)  Unfortunately, our mistaken beliefs regarding God's word and will may have much more severe consequences.  I don' t know how many people over the years have told me, "I don't believe a loving God could send anyone to hell."  That statement has given such folks assurance that they are going to heaven along with every other "sincere" believer of any faith in the world.  Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  If what Jesus said is true--and it is since He's the Son of God--then the mistaken belief about God honoring the sincere belief of all people has dire consequences.  I am so passionate about everyone learning and applying God's word in the power of the Holy Spirit, because it is true, and living the truth DOES set us free, as Jesus told us.  The freedom will cost us, just as the political freedom of the USA has cost thousands and thousands of people over the years.  As the saying goes, "Freedom is not free."  Indeed, it cost Jesus everything!  My prayer for each of us is that we will devote ourselves to learning what is true and then living it to God glory and honor!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father,  Thank You for giving us the truth that sets us free.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may enjoy Your grace and extend Your glory.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.