The Sound of the Trumpet:  To preserve, publish, proclaim, plant, protect, and propagate the Abrahamic
Faith.  A publication of the Carolina and Georgia Conferences of the Churches of God of the Abrahamic Faith.
              Truth or Consequences
                               J.R. LeCrone

There used to be a show on TV called "Truth or Consequences." It was an audience participation program in which those who
were unable to correctly answer certain catch questions were given silly consequences to perform. Often, however, the most
frivolous of activities can start a serious train of thought. The title, particularly, started me to thinking about the eternal truths
presented in the Scriptures, and the consequences for those who do not know these truths and apply them to their own daily
lives. Thus inspired, I set off on the trail of "Truth or Consequences" in the Scriptures. We shall suggest a little of what the Bible
has to say on the subject, but we pray that it may stimulate some careful and prayerful thought and study on your part, for we
believe that in it are the issues of life and death.

When most of us use the word "truth," we mean words that represent the actual state of things, presenting facts which are in no
way altered in order to make the presentation more acceptable either to the speaker or the hearer. We call such a presentation
a statement of the "bald facts" or the "unvarnished truth."

In principle, most of us prefer that others do not deceive us with regard to the actual state of things, but give us the facts, even
though the facts may sometimes be unflattering to us, or unpleasant to face. In actual practice, however, we often shrink from
facing the truth and may display marked resentment toward those who insist upon telling it to us. We do not want our tranquility,
or peace of mind, upset by the necessity of considering any disturbing facts. And, perhaps without being consciously aware
that we are doing so, we shun the company of those who insist upon speaking truth and seek the companionship of those who
speak that which is more pleasant to our ears. But, however much ignored or denied, truth still remains truth. If a truth concerns
us, sooner or later we must reckon with it. We cannot alter truth, nor can we permanently escape it. Lies and deception, if
ignored, will fade and be forgotten. But truth is eternal.

In Deuteronomy 32:4, Jehovah is described as "as a God of truth , without inquity, just and right is he." As a God of truth, who is
completely without iniquity, God is just and right in all of His utterances. He cannot lie and does not lie. Jesus recognized this
truth when, in His prayer for His disciples, He said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). In ignoring
or denying the truths presented in God's Word, there may be a temporary staving off of the time when we must face up to them,
but there is no way that men can alter or change the truth. But in recognizing the truth, facing up to it, and living by it is a great
reward. Said Jesus, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free" (John 8:31b, 32). In familiarity with the Word of Truth is found the knowledge which shows the way to freedom
from sin and all of its consequences.

Knowing a little about the Bible, however, is not to be confused with knowing the Bible.  Knowing a little about the Bible, and
actually knowing the Bible is the difference between knowing where a certain road is, and where that road will lead if we follow it,
and actually knowing, from long experience in traveling it, every twist and turn in the road. A limited knowledge of the road may
be a dangerous thing. It may eliminate the caution which accompanies the knowledge that we are driving on a strange road and
lead to fatal accidents which spring from our imperfect acquaintance with the way. Those thoroughly familiar with the way know
that there are certain danger points where caution is required.

Or, to draw our illustration from another field, let us put it this way. I know what chemistry is. I know that it deals with the
multitudinous combinations and uses of the various elements to be found in the physical construction ofthe universe. I may
even know a few of the more simple formulas (water, salt, sugar, etc.) but not by the widest stretch of the imagination could I be
said to know chemistry. It would be a foolhardy venture for me, unfamiliar as I am with the properties and place of each
chemical, to begin to mix them indiscriminately. By so doing, I could very conceivably bring about my own destruction, as well as
that of others who happened to be near. But one who actually knows chemistry may handle these elements with safety and
profit.

No doubt it was in appreciation of this principle as it applies to the Scriptures that caused Paul to admonish Timothy, "Study to
shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).

It has been said that it is possible to prove anything from the Bible. This is true only if we disregard God's plan, or formula, and
choose only those statements that happen to suit our purpose. We can always start out with a theory and find a few scriptures
which, if separated from their context and place in the completed plan, seem to support the theory. But this is not "rightly
dividing the word of truth." The workman who deliberately indulges in such practices needs to be ashamed.

It is possible to take the many parts of an automobile and, by using portions of them, make many things beside an automobile.
But to the trained mechanic, the approved workman, every part has its place and they always go together to make an
automobile. There are no parts missing and no parts left over.

When we become completely "approved" workmen in the Scripture, we learn the purpose and place of each word in God's plan
of salvation. There are no parts missing, and no surplus truths that do not fit into the plan.

Now the consequences for remaining in ignorance of God's Word of Truth, or, having become acquainted with it, for ignoring it,
may be silly, but they certainly are not funny. The consequence is irretrievable tragedy. For the inspired Apostle Paul speaks of
a day when a deceitful religious leader shall appear upon the earth, "even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with
all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they
should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness"
(2Thessalonians 2:9-12).

This same Paul also assured Timothy that "the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:3-4). The Standard Revised Version makes the passage a little clearer, saying, "For the time is
coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to
suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths."

Now, in bringing this subject to a close, I should like to get personal for a moment. It is essential to your eternal welfare that you
give an honest and straightforward answer to this question. You need not answer me, but some day you will have to give the
answer to God, who will know the accuracy of your answer. This is the question: "Do you believe and behave as you do
because you have carefully examined the Scriptures for yourself and know that your belief is according to God's Word of Truth,
and your conduct is pleasing to Him? Or is it because someone proclaimed a religious philosophy to you which you found
pleasing, and forthwith adopted as your own without further investigation ? Can you find firm support for your convictions in the
Scripture?

It is essential that you know the truth. For the Scriptures make it plain that either we know the truth or we must suffer the
consequences. Paul declared that all shall be damned, "who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." But
Jesus assured us that "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”