Belt of Truth

Some of you have memories like a steel trap. I feel like mine is more like a swinging gate, something goes in and then quickly leaves. My memories of my childhood are faint and few. I do, however, remember spending the night with Pa and Granny Jo. It was something I often did, maybe it was an escape from my parents or my loveable but ANNOYING siblings, or maybe it was the late-night milkshakes, westerns, Braves games and the homemade breakfast. On one of my “sleepovers,” I stayed on a Saturday night. The next day, Pa, under the direction of Jo, was told to wake me up to get ready for “church.” The first time, the lights go on, “It’s time to get up!” But what teenager listens the first time? The second time, “It’s time to get up!” The covers are ripped off and the threat of the belt the next time. But what teenager listens the 2nd time? The third time - Pa entered the room again. You could always hear him coming. He walked stiff legged because of the rods placed in his legs after an accident. He ripped his belt off like Indiana Jones snapping his whip. When he did, his pants fell down to his ankles, causing him to fall down on the bed where I was laying. Boy did we laugh!

In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us the importance of taking up the whole armor of God. The first piece, verse 14, “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth.” The belt, The Truth, holds everything else up. If something is not in accordance with the Word of God then it is not of God, even if others deem it acceptable, even if it is called religious. The truth is not in parts, but in whole. 99% is not 100%. The Truth is what God says it is. The only way to STAND today is to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. John 1:17 says that grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. In verse 1, John already called Jesus, THE WORD.

So, what does that mean for us? It means that if we are true followers of Christ, then we wage in the warfare that Jesus did. We take Him, The Truth/The Word, with us. We must bring His TRUTH and nothing but His Truth, nothing else that is except love. Eph 4:15 says, “but speak the Truth in love.” Why is love necessary? Because it is who God is. Because it is why Christ, The Word, became flesh and died for you.

It is no laughing matter that many in the world do not have The Truth. It is up to us to show It.

I hope you have a great week and remember, take your belt.

-Seth Bowen

#MaysvilleMessenger