WERE YOU TOLD THE WHOLE TRUTH ?

 

Were You Told the Whole Truth?

SRB 30 November 2025​

Christianity, as described in local churches, is free, painless, and a solution to all problems – costing nothing.

And that is totally inaccurate. The message is presented in scripture, but rarely does anyone pay attention to the whole message given in scripture. They have their proof-texts, and that is where the “search for truth” stops.

Yeshua, the Son of Yahweh, told his followers that there is a cost to be carried as a result of being a disciple.

Lk 14:25–27 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

When have any of us Westerners seen churches paying a price for their salvation? Are not all our local churches focusing all their attention on décor, sound and video systems, children’s playgrounds, and banquets – and tithes ?   They are marketing themselves for popularity instead. Don’t they appear to ensure that there is little cost for their tickets to heaven ? Are their seats filled with true disciples?

I imagine that if any local church was filled with believers who endure the cost of discipleship as described by Yeshua, their doors would close. That is why I believe that those who truly are disciples meet in small group assemblies away from local churches that would not accept them because of doctrinal conflict. (To be sure, a true disciple would not willingly attend the local church which does not speak only God’s truth.)

Speaking only of we who have modern day viewpoints - and a serious culture shift from that of the Jews 2000 years ago – are easily deceived by our preachers and teachers who provide the comfort that we, the people, want. We are gullible.

I think it is important at this point to admit that there are those who have benefited from the church community. Their social programs have helped people handle their problems in life. That is not the subject of this post.

1 John 5:13: write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have everlasting life.

We should consider all that was taught in the scriptures regarding salvation, everlasting life, and all the conditions attached to being one with the Father and with His Son. It will shake our confidence – and it should.  There is one word in English that we tend to skip over that needs to be large font and bold: “if.”

1 John 1:8–9: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:23–25: Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—everlasting life.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2: Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold it fast—unless you believed in vain.

Colossians 1:21-23: And you, who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard . . .

2 Peter 2:20-22: For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first . . . It has happened to them according to the true proverb, the dog turns back to his own vomit, and the sow is washed only to wallow in the mire.

Heb 10:26–27: For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries

AT this point, one should wonder just who is being addressed in those verses. After all, did not your church teach you “Once saved; always saved ?” There would be no “if” statements if that were true.

Phil 2:12–15: Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world

Now this is the tough part of this message. What should we think about the “if statements’ and the admonition to “work out our salvation ?” These things appear very complex for those who came to Yeshua without being called by His Father. My opinion is that many, who call themselves “Christians,” fit into that category. They liked the message, enjoyed the security offered by their local church message and now have confidence in their everlasting destiny.

So, I hope to stir some thought here.

If these quotes from scripture are valid, should we not question ourselves according to those “if” words ? If we have been chosen by Yahweh to come to His Son Yeshua and have submitted to the life changing baptism in “Jesus’ name,” then we should truly have God’s spirit within. We don’t need anyone to tell us that we do. Yahweh’s spirit tells us that we do. God will change us over time.

Our understanding of scripture will eventually change. Some of our beliefs will change. We will not fit into the community of the local church any longer because we are no longer of that fold. We will hear the scriptures calling us – the shepherd’s voice.  John 10:27

And now the difficult part – you may not soon find another true disciple to bond with. There are not many in this world. Pray for one and wait. We are out there hoping to find you, too.

And that is when Luke 14:25–27 becomes real. Then, you will understand. Relationships will change and not necessarily because you chose it. You may find that the others will choose it for you, as you become unacceptable to them. That is the cost you can count. It is well worth it.

If you are reading this and wonder about your status with the Only True God, then seek Him with all your heart.