“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Truth.

The thing about what is true and what is right is that, if it is true and right, it doesn’t matter what others think about it or how others feel about it. If it is true and right it doesn’t matter whether people like it or hate it. None of these things change the fact that it is true and right.

Organizations and relationships get into trouble and on thin ice when the main question becomes who is right instead of asking what is right.

If it is true and right, it doesn’t matter who.

In a world that absolutely hates absolutes, in a world that will tolerate anything and everything except for intolerance it is absolutely critical that Christians remember the source of truth. Truth has a name – Jesus!

We discover this truth regarding Jesus through the scriptures and scriptures alone.

• Not what you think about Jesus.
• Not how you feel about Jesus.
• Not what you imagine Jesus to be.
• Not what you wish about Jesus.

Truth regarding Jesus is revealed to us in the scriptures.

Truth has nothing to do with how you feel about Jesus, think about Jesus, or whether you like Jesus or not.

Truth has everything to do with what the scriptures reveal regarding the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

There is only one way to discover the truth. There is only one pathway to eternal life in the Father. The pathway to the Father has a name – Jesus.

And that is the God honest truth!

“Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD” (Psalm 119:1).

There are churches and Christians who make a big deal about “living in the spirit.”

And those churches who usually make a big deal about “living in the spirit,” are normally referring to an ecstatic experience. It normally refers to speaking in tongues, spiritual healing, and having a charismatic experience.

While I don’t discount that one can have such ecstatic experiences, I am pretty sure that’s not what the Bible is talking about.

If living in the spirit was talking about ecstatic experiences and speaking in tongues, why aren’t all Christians doing that and experiencing that? Because God wants all of us to live in his Spirit. That’s a given. So, if God wants all of us to live in his Spirit, and if that is talking about ecstatic experiences then we should all be having them. Right?

So then, if it’s not referring to ecstatic experiences then what does it mean to live in the Spirit? 

If you really want to live in the Spirit, live according to the word of God.

Show me a person whose life is governed by the word of God and you can be certain you have a life that is governed by the Spirit of God.

It’s not about experiences. It’s not about ecstatic expressions. It’s not about speaking in tongues. If you are living by the Spirit of God, you are living according to the word of God. And this is something God wants every disciple to do.

Start with reading God’s word. Then apply God’s word.

“Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.”

“Because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).

One of my seminary professors used to say, “Until you’ve been to the bottom of the abysssssss, your faith will always remain shallow.”

I never liked it when he said that. Whatever the abysssss was, the way he said it, I didn’t want any part of it.

That’s kind of the way I feel about pain and suffering. Yeah. I know. The Bible says that suffering produces Godly character and hope. But, come on…pain and suffering.

You know…Pain hurts. Suffering stinks.

So what’s wrong with a shallow, characterless, hopeless faith?

That’s just the problem. That’s not good either.

So if you find yourself going through a season of pain, loss, and suffering, take note. God is preparing you, training you, and setting you up for a season of growth and maturity.

Think about lifting weights in the gym or running. The only way we get into shape and improve is through pain and suffering. But today’s pain is in preparation for tomorrow’s strength.

Because of who our God is, the pain, suffering, and loss you are experiencing today will lead to the strength you will enjoy tomorrow.