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Paul became a servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ based on his acknowledging the truth. Acknowledging the truth is a characteristic of godliness.
Now what does it mean to acknowledge the truth? Does it mean to believe in God? The devils believe in God – James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. That’s not all devil’s believe, they also know who Jesus Christ is – Mark 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
So what does it mean to acknowledge the truth and why did that put Paul on the course to be what Jesus Christ wanted him to be?
Acknowledging the truth is owning the truth. Notice Genesis 38:25-26 Judah takes ownership for the items and God said he acknowledged them.
To acknowledge the truth is to take responsibility for it
- Some people want to hear the truth and that’s as far as it goes. It is something else to actually take responsibility for the truth.
- If you take responsibility for something, what are some things you do?
- Make a place for it
- Protect it
- Ensure that it stays in good condition.
- Paul was a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the responsibility he took for the truth.
To acknowledge the truth is to pay the price for it
- Truth has a price.
- Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
- Sometimes the truth cost you your pride when someone tells you the truth.
- Sometimes the truth cost you your family. Or the truth cost you friends.
- John 8:31-47 note that Jesus is addressing those that believed on him.
- Paul was a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the price he paid for the truth.
To acknowledge the truth is to confess the truth
- To own as in confession
- I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Psalms 51:3 and 32.
- The things that stands between you and growth in the Lord is confession.
- John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
- Paul was a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to his confession of the truth.
To acknowledge the truth is to be grateful for the truth
- Acknowledging a gift as in saying “Thank You” and acknowledging the truth is to be grateful for the truth.
- 2 Corinthians 1:14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
- Paul was a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the gratitude he had for the truth.
