THE POWER OF TRUTH

Truth has a peculiar way of making itself known. Sometimes, it strikes us forcefully, like a freight train, and other times, it's as gentle as a feather. Such is the truth of Christ. My initial encounter with it was akin to the touch of a feather, so delicate that I scarcely recognized it as Christ calling me to Himself.


“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”


These words adorned the entrance of the Student Union building at the University of Texas at Austin, where I pursued my education. I read them repeatedly over the years without pausing to ponder their origin. I presumed them to be the creation of some insightful philosopher. Filled with what I perceived as truth, I felt no need for further enlightenment. I believed I possessed answers to life's most profound questions and was eager to share them without solicitation.


Years later, reality intruded. As a single parent to a vulnerable two-year-old, abandoned by their mother, God intervened. No longer a gentle whisper, He unleashed the full force of the Holy Spirit, akin to a freight train hurtling towards me. His intervention came through Pastor Phil Landrum of Southwest Christian Church, bearing the Good News.


It was in 1981, during the early hours of a Saturday morning, that Phil received a distraught call from me, a 24-year-old in desperate need of Jesus. In the months leading to this pivotal moment, I had been evangelized by Neal Johnson, my boss, and had come to acknowledge my need for Jesus. God sent Phil to guide me in accepting Jesus Christ, initiating a lifelong journey of relinquishing my own power, a force akin to a hurricane, in favor of a deeper surrender to the divine power of God.


To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 NIV)


This surrender to God's power stands as one of the most profound truths I've embraced. What God, and many of you, have taught me is that this surrender is a daily practice. It's not achieved over months or years; rather, it's a continual process—a daily relinquishing of control. This goes beyond mere salvation; it's about being fully surrendered to Christ and His power, a journey all disciples of Christ must undertake.


Each day, I awaken to surrender afresh to Christ's power, delving deeper into His love, joy, and peace. With each surrender, there's less of myself and more of Christ. This translates to a shift from the storm of my fleshly desires to the right kind of power flowing through me.


Truth yields immense power, and absolute truth begets boundless power. Yet, the danger lies in merely hearing it without taking the requisite actions. Daily surrender is imperative to truly follow Christ. Yesterday's surrender is like yesterday's manna; it won't sustain us today. Every morning, my knees must bend anew, seeking fresh guidance from Christ for the day ahead. Superficial gestures and rote prayers won't suffice. To live a life empowered by Christ, we must die to ourselves daily, allowing Christ to live through us.


This truth presents a paradox: the more we relinquish our fleshly power, the greater power we attain yet this power isn't of our making and doesn't require our effort to sustain it. The power of Christ's truth liberates us from earthly concerns, granting us progressive levels of freedom until we finally surrender our earthly vessel and embrace the unlimited power of God's love forever. Amen.


Your aspiring servant, Daniel M.
March 06, 2024
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ.