When you read or hear Scripture, what does it mean to you? This is a general question as most folks derive their own meanings from Scripture. But there can only be one truth derived from Scripture.

Who is it that defines the truth? Is it God or is it your pastor, priest, yourself or someone else? Truth can only be defined by God through the Holy Spirit. For Christ stated

²⁶ “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. (John 15:26)

Now if we accept this and want to know the truth, the truth will be established in our lives. If we accept the truth we know this is more than just words. It is life. The life of Christ. We no longer need to sit in a church listening to a pastor or priest preach to us. We can live out the truths that are taught by the Holy Spirit.

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (Philippians 2:12-16)

⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)

So then if you have rejected God’s truth you will not understand His words and will not be able to follow Him. If this scares you then I urge you repent of your sin so that you may follow Him who loves you and calls out to you.

³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. ⁶ He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
(I John 2:3-6)

I pray now that the Word of Life abide in you.

¹³ I write to you, fathers,
    Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
    Because you have known the Father.
¹⁴ I have written to you, fathers,
    Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
    Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
    And you have overcome the wicked one.

¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (I John 2:13-15)