Truth, Justice, and the American Way
Truth, Justice, and the American Way is the catch-phrase of the comic-book character Superman that I so enjoyed as a young boy growing up in the 50’s. Today we are constantly bombarded with so many accusations that it is difficult to ascertain the truth. One political party accuses the other party while the other party blames the other party. Confusing, isn’t it? I am not about to defend or condemn either political party because blaming and accusing others has been told many times over in scripture. Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. Who is this accuser? This accuser goes by many names one of which is the devil.
He starts accusing God and causes the woman to doubt when he tells her in Genesis 3:1 ‘Did God really say’, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Later in the same chapter we read that Adam blamed God for giving him the woman and the woman defended her disobedience by claiming the serpent had deceived her. The blame game started and continues even today. It comes to a point in our Christian walk when we have to cast our doubts away and rely on the assurances given to us by our Lord.
As my wife and I were reading a morning devotion we were challenged with some of the following questions:
- Did God really say that I am to pay my taxes?
Mark 12:17 And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
- Did God really say that I am to honor my parents?
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
- Did God really say I should give?
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- Did God really say I am to help my neighbor?
Mark 21:31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
- Did God really say that heaven awaits believers and that those who reject Him will be cast away?
Revelation 20:15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
- Did God really say to forgive others?
Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
The answers to these questions are a resounding yes! The Lord Jesus has proven that He is dependable, trustworthy and faithful. We should find blessed assurance in His promises. As the old hymn writer proclaimed ‘Trust and Obey for there is no better way.’ We should allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in our obedience to the Word. The final exhortation from our devotional exhorted us to always doubt the devil’s accusation but to never doubt God’s promises.
Truth and justice and the American way may have inspired me as a boy. Now, I have realized the significance of Jesus words as recorded by the Apostle John in the 14th chapter of his gospel verse 6 when Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” When we acknowledge Jesus as the way, truth and life we receive the promise of coming to the Father. That truth indeed sets us free.
