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The truth of God is not a commodity to be traded. It is comprised of eternal principles that can never be replaced or remedied. Any action, choice, or activity that requires the compromise of truth is an incredibly bad bargain. Furthermore, it will lead to remorse whether now or later. Like some debts, the payment of the interest and even the principal on such trades can be delayed, but it can never be avoided.

The Gentiles about whom Paul wrote in the latter half of Romans the first chapter were people whom God gave up “to uncleanness, in the lust of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever more.” (Romans 1.24-25). Even if the Gentiles exchanged the truth of God for the greatest imaginable temporal pleasures, the trade was still ill-advised. The faithful of all generations have had to make such choices, and it was the wisdom of their choices that allow them yet to be considered among the faithful.

“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” (Hebrews 11.24-26). The choice was the same then that it is now; it was a choice between pleasing God and pleasing self. Moses chose to please God because he looked by faith “…to the reward.” This could be taken in two ways; it probably means that he looked to the reward of the faithful, but it could also mean that he looked to the punishment that awaits the wayward.

Jesus was tempted in the same way we are. He came to this earth for one purpose and that was to perfectly do the Father’s will. This included His vicarious suffering and death on the cross. As the time of His death drew nearer, so did the reality of the suffering that would be involved. On the eve of His crucifixion, He prayed in great agony and “…His sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22.44). This condition is known medically as hematohidrosis and occurs only under circumstances of tremendous stress. During all of this agony, all the earthly ties He had were calling Him to abort the mission of God and to save Himself. His apostles did not want Him to die; His family did not wish such a fate; His friends likewise would have opted for an escape short of death. When Peter unsheathed his sword to defend Him from arrest, Jesus said, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” (Matthew 26.52-54). Jesus had the wherewithal to make a trade of truth for pleasure, but He made the only choice the faithful can make; He held to the truth of God and avoided the lie!

The greatest advice that could ever be given is that offered by the proverb writer when he wrote, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” (Proverbs 23.23). Truth is not a commodity to be bartered away; it consists of principles that are to be held tenaciously to the point of death.

Questions

1. What is “the truth of God?” With whom did it originate? Can it be altered? If yes, how?

2. How do men “trade the truth?” For what do we trade it? Are these ever good trades?

3. What trade did Jesus have the capacity to make in the garden of Gethsemane? What would He have “gained” by that trade?

4. Do men really worship and serve the creature more than the Creator? If so, how? What choices are demanded if we are to avoid worshiping and serving the creature more than the Creator?

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

Moralism