Truth AND Consequences
Ephesians 5:9
If you were asked your opinion as to the one most needful thing among the people of God today, what would you say? According to your judgment, what is the one thing that is most needed?
Now this is an interesting question, as well as a very important one, and would provoke some very interesting answers. No doubt about it!
1. Some no doubt would say, "More knowledge of the Scriptures." Perhaps these would be influenced by such things as God's indictment of Israel, God’s people at that time, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). Or perhaps, to Timothy, and God’s people now:
2TI 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
To know for sure what the Lord wants his people to know as the redeemed ones; to know for sure what His will is for us; to have a guide as to how we can relate to all the troublesome situations of life and still walk by faith; to know for sure the rewards for obedience and the evil results for disobedience; this knowledge would be significantly good for all of us. More knowledge is surely needed, and so this would be a good answer to our question of what is the most badly needed thing among us, His people.
2. Some no doubt would say, "More visionary and courageous leadership for His people." Perhaps these would be influenced by such statements as that of Solomon, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Pro. 29:18). It has long been believed that every institution is but the "lengthened shadow of its leadership." To feed the flock of God is monumentally important. To determine the right spiritual menu, the right way to prepare and serve spiritual food to those under their spiritual care; to oversee those who depend upon them for guidance so that all might have the hope of hearing at the finish line, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant;" this is vitally important. More visionary leadership is no doubt a great need and would be a good answer to our question.
3. Some would no doubt say, "Greater involvement by more Christians in the affairs of the Cause of Christ; teaching neighbors, helping the weak, encouraging the unfaithful, restoring the fallen; being fruitful in every good work. Perhaps these would be influenced by such statements as that of James, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (Jam 1:22). Greater involvement by more of the disciples of the Lord is a great need, and would be a good answer to our question.
My Answer
Who could say -- what human could say -- what the most important attribute needed today is, but one thing, I believe, that is sorely needed, by those of us who consider ourselves Christians is an understanding of, and an appreciation for truth – simple Holy Spirit inspired – Scriptural truth.
Don’t we all need a knowledge of, and an understanding and appreciation for God's absolute demand for respect for the plain, simple, unvarnished truth. Have you ever been called as a witness in a court trial? Do you remember what the balliff asked you -- "Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God." Isn’t that what’s needed today, people of God who will "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us God!" (And in our courts today there are stiff penalties for "perjury." The same is even moreso true in the courts of God.
I believe truth to be badly needed today for at least two reasons:
First, it is an absolute requirement for regaining our lost relationship with God. We were created in God's likeness, after His image. It was a lie that started man’s downfall in the Garden. It is the truth about sin and continuing condemnation and alienation, and the offering of God in the form of his Son, that can make redemption possible. Jesus spent his earthly life crying out to his lost brethren that it was the truth about Him that would set them free. He told them “if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (Joh 8:24). Did they accept his plea? Only a few.
Today we – you and I, now – are capable of regaining this lost relationship, but only through this same Christ. The apostles early on (and Paul to the Gentiles later), told the story of Jesus as Christ and Lord, and stated “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Act 4:12).
Second, and most important, to help each one of us appreciate the need for, and the sheer beauty of God's "grace" in saving us. Grace begins where our human efforts end. None of us can possibly live without fault; without being overtaken by the devil when we are caught off guard. We understand only partially the blessings for honest, diligent effort in following Jesus. Do you and I really understand the necessity of the high standards of Christianity? When the demands of a religious system are great, the respect for that system will be great. No one could easily respect any system whose aims and purposes were less than noble; a system that demanded little of its citizens. Because we have a great God we necessarily have a high standard of excellence imposed upon us as His children. He would not be considered great if He permitted his family the liberty of a sub-standard existence; a lifestyle of carnal degradation and spiritual poverty. But to the contrary, a great God demands a high standard. Our God actually shares His very excellence with us. We literally are permitted to become partakers of His nature. (2 Pet. 1:4).
To live in a world where everyone was always truthful at all times and under all circumstances, would be a great blessing. This would essentially be "heaven on earth." To be with people who truly love God and love one another, who trust and care for one another, who are possessed of the mind and spirit of the Lord -- this is something to dream about, and strive for. A beautiful thought indeed!
When one understands the exalted purposes of Christianity, to restore mankind to the status of sons of the Almighty God, to offer to lowly man the right and privilege of sharing in the very life of Deity with the Father, to bestow eternal life; the respect for such a system should be awesome.
A GOOD ANSWER
We also need men to live the truth. Jesus was consistent within himself. He spoke the truth. He lived the truth.
One would have to be pretty naive, or pretty insensitive to what truth is all about, to not be aware of all the deception in the world today. No one can possibly doubt that the practice of something less than complete truthfulness is one of the major problems of our time. In addition to those who just plain lie, and some who are psychopathic, there are large numbers who are like the man who said, "I'll tell the truth ten different ways before I'll tell a lie." And he laughed.
Our former President lost his license to practice Law for five years because he just did not “tell all the truth” when questioned. “Technically,” he said, I told the truth, but, he said, “I deliberately misled the questioners.” (Did he ever admit that he “lied”?)
The sad fact is that misrepresentation of truth is commonplace. In some circles it is just taken for granted, as in applications for employment, loans, insurance, and perhaps especially in politics. Barbara Walters says that heads of state will look her in the face and tell amazing lies.
There is no doubt whatever that the lack of truthfulness in our dealing with one another in the body of Christ is indicative that we have a way to go in becoming partakers of God's Divine Nature. And, as salt and light and leaven in this world, how important it is that we who lay claim to being sons of God must -- absolutely must -- practice truthfulness.
Wise old Ben Franklin said that he learned to never trust a man who began his statement, "Now
I want to be truthful with you." Ben's thinking was that this man knew himself capable of falsehood,
and probably would be false if he needed to be.
I believe that it was Mark Twain who once said, "Tell the truth, and you will not have to remember what you said." This has a lot of merit. It reminds us of what Jesus said in the Sermon On The Mount, "Let your communicaton be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil" (Matt. 5:37).
One of our fine brethren in Dallas was an insurance claims adjuster. He stated to me that he wondered (from his experience in settling claims) if there was a “single honest man alive.”
Was it not the Greek Diogenes the Cynic, who spent most of his life believing and teaching that men and women lived a life dictated by human rules and taboos and therefore no one was really truthful or honest. What most people know about Diogenes is that he wandered around ancient Greece carrying a lantern and searching for an honest man. What (or who) is an honest man? Someone has said, “An honest man is someone who says what they mean, doesn't steal, doesn't lie, and respects their responsibility to God and to society."
A civic club magazine told the story of the lie detector machine, developed by a man named Lennox. The article stated that a certain company instituted lie detector tests for all employees. They had lost a lot of inventory, and felt this the best way to remedy it. Results were that losses diminished greatly, and some merchandise was even returned to the store. As one man said, "Even the thought of getting into hot water keeps one clean!" I'm glad that the school administrations in many cities have instituted the drug detection program. If our boys and girls need a little threat of detection hanging over their heads, maybe it will save them from a terrible problem, and maybe even their lives. I'm for it, and urge all the parents and young people to cooperate. But, should this be necessary in a “Christian” community?
Does everybody lie? ABC’s Good Morning America Sunday thinks so! So stated Steve Fox and Bill Ritter on their show February 22, 1998.
Perhaps none of us -- no human being with all our selfish, carnal interests -- could ever really know the total importance of truth. The need for truth is obvious. The world cannot exist in an orderly and systematic manner without truth. Man must be able to trust something, or somebody, to have a stable, secure and confident life. What kind of a world can we have if we are not able to trust one another. There could not be any security, safety, or peace for anybody. Surely, surely, the study of truth is important.
In Hosea 11:12 it is said of Ephraim, "Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit," and in 12:1, "Ephraim . . . daily increaseth lies." But this is surely not new. Many years ago the English writer John Crown said:
"How false are men, both in their heads and hearts!
And their falsehood in all trades and arts.
Lawyers deceive their clients by false law;
Priests, by false gods, keep all the world in awe.
For their false tongues such flatt'ring knaves are raised,
For their false wit scribbles by fools are praised."
What Is Truth
When Pilate was trying to decide the fate of Jesus he asked, "What is truth." But he then walked away, and did not wait for an answer. Jesus could have told him, couldn't he?
The word in the Greek language that gives us truth in the English is aletheia. It is a compound of "a" (alpha) plus a word which means "to escape notice, to be unknown, unseen, hidden, concealed." In Greek, putting the "a" or "alpha" before another word gives it the opposite meaning of the original word. We all perhaps recognize the word "Theos" for God. Well, then a-theos is atheist, or a nonbeliever in God. The Greek idea of truth is therefore that which is unconcealed, unhidden; that which will bear scrutiny and investigation, that which is open to the light of day. "Truth will out" is an old proverb well spoken. I am reminded of Hebrews 4:12,
"For the word of God is quick (which means alive), and powerful (which means active), and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearts."
Now the word sincerely studied will help us to see exactly what condition our heart is in, what direction our thinking is taking, what the motives of our intentions are, whether good or bad. And the next verse says,
"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him (God) with whom we have to do" (v.13).
The writer is saying that God examines, and sees things as they really are, not with prejudice, bias, respect of persons, color of skin, or social class. Economic class, or being in the same hunting or fishing club, or having any other common interest, has nothing whatever to do with God's judgment. Man too often looks upon the outward appearance, and approves of what he likes, and disapproves of what he dislikes, but God looks upon the heart, and sees the real man as he is.
In Ephesians 5:9, where Paul says that "truth" is a fruit of the spirit, some translations say "light." In other words, this fruit is what is real, not what seems to be, or appears to be, but what is real. Let's substitute truth for light in a well known passage, 1 John 1:1-5:
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. and these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is (truth) and in him is no (falsehood) at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in (falsehood), we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the (truth), as he is in the (truth), we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:1-7).
And if anyone believes that this is unjust, the Holy Record says:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:1,2; 14).
Sometime later Jesus is to say about Himself:
"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" (8:31,32); "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (14:6).
As the light of the world we read of Jesus as the "true light" (John 1:9) and the "true bread" (6:32). Jesus says of Himself that he is the "true vine" (15:1), and says of the Father, "He that sent me is true" (John 7:28). John calls God the "only true God" (17:3), and Paul adds, the "living and true God" (1 Thess. 1:9). The Hebrew writer speaks of "the true tabernacle" (8:2), and "the true holy place" (9:24), and we ought to draw near to God with a "true heart" (10:22). Jesus also says to the woman at the well in Samaria that the Father seeks "true worshippers" and these "shall worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23). In the Revelation the idea of truth is repeated over and over: God is "holy and true" (6:10); "just and true" are his ways (15:3); "just and righteous" are his judgments (16:7, 19:2). His sayings are "true" (19:9). Jesus tells John to "write, for these words are true and faithful" (21:5), and, "these sayings are faithful and true" (22:6).
Our Attitude Toward Truth
Many years ago the president of one of our Christian Colleges was to hold a Gospel Meeting for our congregation. We had a fellowship on Saturday night before the Meeting was to begin on Sunday. He was to be introduced and asked to say a "few words." He began by asking everyone in the room "who had ever stolen anything -- even a little thing -- to raise their hands." Most everyone did so. He then asked everyone "who had ever told an untruth -- even a small one -- to raise their hands." Most everyone in the audience did so. In a feinted solemn tone, he then stated that he would have his work cut out for himself in the Meeting, seeing how the congregation was made up of thieves and liars. We all had a good laugh.
With no reflection whatsoever upon this great and good man, is there a possibility that we may be laughing our way through life to the judgment about vital matters? The practice of something less than complete truthfulness is not a funny matter. Is it not one of the major problems of our time. It is also one of the most significant indications that mankind is still lacking in the pursuit of Divine nature. Surely one of the most obvious qualities of God's character is truthfulness, and if we are to be partakers of His nature, we must acquire this quality.
Truth Hard To Find
First of all, we must admit that truth, concerning many matters, is hard to come by. I recall hearing a lecture at Lamar Tech in Beaumont, Texas, by George Buttrick, a well known American Theologian from Harvard. He described a car wreck, and the testimony of eye witnesses. His point was that sometimes human beings see things from different points of view, and even when testifying “truthfully,” there can be differences. However, he did not stress that what we hear and see, is, as I saw it, or, as I heard it. Jesus told Thomas to see, and to feel, whereupon, he knew!
We are interested in our health, and the health of the nation. We hear constantly of new discoveries concerning vitamins, diets, exercises and exercise equipment, the evil effects of coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, red dye, saccharin and other sweeteners, and on and on. Are these things really harmful? If so, how harmful? Or, have the claims about their harm been exaggerated? There have been charges and counter charges, and the average citizen is often confused. Scientists study diseases, and millions are spent annually to discover what causes them, and how they can be prevented or eliminated. But again, there have been all kinds of mixed information, and often disagreement even among those who should have discovered the real truth about disease. And we must mention "aids." The sexual revolution has come home to roost! What are the facts about the social factors that brought this all about; what caused this revolution, and the diseases that have followed.
We are concerned about the morals of our nation, and the causes of immorality. Is poverty the chief cause of crime? Is Reverend Ike -- the black "God wants all of us to be wealthy" TV preacher, who owns more Rolls Royces than any man alive -- is he right when he says, "It is not the love of money that is the root of all evil, but the lack of money." And in recent days young Joel Osteen of Houston, with his success “gospel” that is attracting many thousands. Are these true ministers of Christ? Or, or Satan, the father of liars? We hear many lectures on "What is happening to the soul of America." Is America really going to fall from within as Rome did two thousand years ago?
We are concerned about true principles of success. Let a successful person write a book on "How To Make Money," or, "How To Succeed -- at whatever," if it concerns health, wealth, or prestige, and it will almost certainly be a best-seller. In my lifetime books such as Napoleon Hill's "Think And Grow Rich," Claude Bristol's "The Magic Of Believing," have all made millions for their authors. In recent years Zig Zigler has made a large fortune with his "How To" books on easy success. In the last few years, have you bought the “Anthony Robbins” tapes where you can “program yourself for total success; vibrant health and energy; getting into action?” The American people want to know what the latest principles of success are. But what are the principles of success? Have they really been discovered?
What is the answer for social justice, the rights of the unborn, the disadvantaged, the afflicted, minority groups, women. What moral obligations do the "haves" have toward the "have-nots." Why, in the richest nation the world has ever known, do we have more people today sleeping on sidewalks, in cardboard boxes, and eating in "soup kitchens," than any time since the great depression of '29. Why, in a nation that would call itself "Christian," are most -- not all for sure -- of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Why?
What is the answer for the unhappy marriages, and divorces, and broken homes. What is the truth about why couples who once loved one another dearly, and vowed to spend the rest of their lives together, now have forsaken their vows, and often even married another. What is the truth about why so many unhappy homes.
What is the truth about the divided conditions of Christianity. The multiplied denominations. The cults that are arising all the time, and the support in money and allegiance to most if not all of them. The "health and wealth" gospel that is attracting so many to them. Check the advertisements in the religious section of a big city newspaper (such as Houston, Tx.) in the Saturday editions. Speak out against these and you are accused of being prejudiced, biased, "you think you are the only ones going to heaven" people, and so on. What is the truth about these, their relationship to God, and their destiny.
What is the truth about congregational government. What authority do the elders have over the saints? What is the proper work of deacons? Of evangelists? What has happened to the old time enthusiasm that we all remember in connection with the Lord's Day, and the Gospel Meetings, and special affairs. What is the truth?
What is the truth about the doctrine of the Holy Spirit? The Bible clearly teaches that all the saved must have, or possess, the Spirit of Christ, and the children of God are led by the Spirit of God. (Rom. 8:8,14.)
The Standard For Truth
I. One of the outstanding characteristics of God is that He practices total and complete truthfulness. It is said of God that He cannot lie.
In Psalms 146, David says:
"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. . . . Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever" (vs. 3-6).
In the incident where Balaam was asked by Balak to turn God's command to bless, into a commandment to curse, Balaam said,
"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of a man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Num. 23:19).
Over in the New Testament, in Hebrews 6:18 the writer says that it is "impossible" for God to lie. (Study vs. 13-20). In Hebrews 6 the writer pleads for faithfulness and patience from his Jewish brethren with these words:
"And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (vs. 11,12).
And what is the basis of this "full assurance of hope?" "For," said he,
"When God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself. Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast . . . (vs. 13-19).
God has demonstrated this fact throughout the ages throughout the ages:
a. To Adam and Eve. (Gen. 2:16,17; 3:16-24.) [Perhaps use memory stunt here.]
b. To Noah. (Gen. 7-9.)
c. To Abraham. (Gen. 24:27.)
d. To Jacob. (Gen. 32:10.)
e. To Israel. (Ps. 98:3; Ex. 23:23-31; Lev. 26:3-13; Joshua 21:43-45.)
f. In sending a Saviour. (Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4; John 1:29.)
g. In keeping all of His promises. (Ps. 77:20; 2 Sam. 7:11; Ex. 34:7; Ps. 65:3.)
h. In providing temporal blessings. (Lev. 26:6; Pro. 3:10; Matt. 6:25-34.)
i. In bruising Satan. (Gen. 3:15; Rom. 6:20; Rev. 12:9.)
j. In making a new covenant. (Jer. 31:31ff; Heb. 8-10.)
II. Jesus was the perfect example of truth.
He was always honest and straightforward with everyone at all times. He was perfectly consistent with His being the "Word of God (John 1:14). He was literally "truth" embodied. (John 14:6.) He told the truth about His purpose in coming, His mission concerning the new covenant, the fact of salvation and eternal damnation, etc.
a. On one occasion when the Pharises were trying to trap him into making a statement that would appear rebellious, they began by saying: "Master, we know that thou art true, and cres forno man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth" (Mark 12:14). Even his enemies could not find a contradiction in what He taught and what He practiced.
b. He told his Jewish brethren that unless they repented they would perish (Luke 13:3,5; etc.); that unless they believed on Him they would die in their sins (John 8:24).
c. He told His disciples they would be persecuted, and even killed. (Matt. 10:16-42; 24:9; John 16:2; 1 Pet. 4:12-19; etc.).
d. He never denied himself. (Matt. 27:11; 2 Tim. 2:13; Heb. 10:23; etc.).
III. In contrast to the truthfulness of God, Satan, our adversary, is pictured as a liar.
Jesus said to the hostile Jews:
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God" (John 8:44-47).
Therefore, the inescapable conclusion is, those who practice the lie are of the devil.
a. Ananias and Sapphira. "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things" (Acts 5:1-11.)
b. Elymas the sorcerer. "And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord" (Acts 13:6-12).
IV. He demands that we speak and hold fast to truth. EPH 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
EPH 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
CONCLUSION
Many, many years ago the wisest man that ever lived -- other than Jesus -- said: "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Pro. 23:23). Solomon does not tell us what it will cost, but urges that it be bought, and apparently at whatever cost. Fortunately, truth usually does not take gold or silver, but a sincere and diligent desire for it. A yearning for it. Jesus once said about righteousness, "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled."
All truth is precious. it is so because of it's intrinsic value, for spiritual truth is the Word of the Almighty God. It has intrinsic value. It is also precious because of its utility. The benefit was summed up by the Lord, when he said, "This is Life Eternal, to know the one true and Living God."
Endnotes: