The apostle Paul had instructed the Corinthian congregation to examine themselves. (5) He hoped that they would accept the truth, confess the truth of their sins, fully submit to God’s authority, and change their ways by living in the truth of Christ. (7) This is walking in God’s truth. (1 John 1:6, 2:4, 3:18-20; 2 John 1:4; 3 John 1:3-4) If these were to happen, Paul would not need to be harsh in the use of the apostolic authority granted him, the authority for building them up. (10)
Truth is reliable and trustworthy. The Bible uses truth in the general factual sense. Truth may designate the fact over appearance, pretense, or assertion. The Lord said through the prophet Zechariah, “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this.” (Zechariah 8:16-17)
Several decades ago, the gospel of reconciliation found in Christ was made clear to me. I accepted it and asked Jesus to be my Savior and Lord, taking total control of my life. Asking Jesus to save me from sin and hell was easy. However, asking Jesus to take total control of my life was scary. I prayed for these, but in my heart I knew that when I asked him to take total control of my life, I was holding back. So I asked him a second time, and I did not hold back any control over my heart and life. I completely stepped into the truth, and I was made perfect that very instant.
