by J. Randal Matheny

Who is your father?

Seems an easy question, doesn't it?

The Jews thought so, too. But Jesus assured them that Abraham was not their father, or they would have done the works that Abraham did.

Their father was the devil, he said, because they refused the truth and believed lies about the Messiah. The devil is the father of lies, so he who tells, lives, or prefers a lie to the truth has made clear his paternity.

Perhaps that is why, in Paul's recommendation to dwell on the good (Philippians 4:8), he puts "whatever is true" first on his list.

So what is true? Think on these true things:

1. The true grace of God (1 Peter 5:12).

2. The true testimony about those who do what is right (3 John 12).

3. The true love in Christ and in us (1 John 2:8).

4. The true riches (Luke 16:11).

5. The true light, which illumines all men (John 1:9).

6. The true worshipers (John 4:23).

7. The true saying, "One sows, and another reaps" (John 4:37).

8. The true bread from heaven (John 6:32).

9. The true tabernacle, heaven itself (Hebrews 8:1,2; 9:24).

10. And when the true is bad, as in Titus 1:12-14? As Paul says, work to change the situation!

All that is true and good has its center in Him who is true, the true and living God (John 7:28; 17:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:9).

When we embrace and concentrate on what is true, and on him who is true, we will indeed be children of God.