You know, as I look around these days at the assault on my reason, I
feel compelled to share a fable I heard many years ago.
Long ago there was a master jade carver. His work was
known far and wide as the best in the land and many a young man desired to be
his apprentice and would wait many years for an opportunity to learn from him.
One young man who had indeed waited years to study
under the master, was thrilled to find his time had come. The first day he humbly entered and sat at the feet of
the master. The master handed him a
piece of jade and asked him to hold it.
The young man did as he was instructed.
The day passed and time came to end work and
go home. The old man held out his hand
and said, “May I have the stone?”
“Of course,” said the student.
The old man said, “I will see you in the morning,” and
turned to leave.
The young man also went his way.
The next day, the old man asked the young man to hold a
piece of jade which he did. He old man spent the day carving his beautiful work
and at the end of the day asked again, “May I have the stone?”
“Of course,” replied the young man.
Many days passed repeating this scenario; the old man
asking his apprentice to hold the stone as he carved and the young man doing so
but becoming more and more puzzled.
Finally one day, the young man entered humbly as was
his practice, sat at the master’s feet and asked, “Master, when will I be able
to carve the jade?”
The old man said, “Hold out your hand.”
The young man did as he was asked and the old man
placed a stone in it.
“This isn’t Jade!” exclaimed the apprentice.
“Precisely,” said the old man.
Truth is like that piece of jade in the young man’s
hand. It is important for us to handle
the truth so that when lies come our way, we can identify them
immediately.
The truth by which all things are measured is the Word
of God.
If we familiarize ourselves with the Bible, we will be
able to know, just as the young man did, “This isn’t Truth!”
“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 119:7-11
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple." Psalm 119:140
"The grass withers; the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." Isaiah 40:8
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17
These are just a few things the Bible says about
itself.
Many people say that the Bible was written by men but
the Bible says, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture
came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never
had its origin in the human will, but prophets though human spoke from God as
they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21,
And we also thank God continually because when you
received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a
human word, but as it actually is, the word of God which is indeed at work in
you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable
for teaching for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness that
the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy
3-16-17
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
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