Text—Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. (Proverbs 23:23)

Introduction

Was there ever an item that you came across that you simply had to have? Something from childhood or another time in your life that when you saw it, it was something that would add great joy. You might not have been able to buy it at that time but, years later, it would surface again, and you did all that you could to obtain it.

This should be our attitude towards God’s Holy Scriptures. We should go out of our way to obtain it and, once we have it, never sell it for anything. Our text, today, deals with that very subject.

Facts are Priceless

In today’s society, feelings have become more important that facts. No longer can you mention the idea of male and female being the only two genders; now there are hundreds, and the list continues to grow. Even the notion of 1+1=2 is now being challenged! Where does it end?

So many people don’t like the scriptures as they are too judgmental to the way people want to live. They want to alter it to fit their needs. Just because you don’t like a fact doesn’t mean that you can change it to suit your purposes. Rather, you need to change yourself based on those facts.

The apostle John wrote, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1) Don’t accept something just because one person said it and thousands affirm it. That doesn’t make it right or true, you have to test it against God’s word to know for sure. …By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6)

Settling for a Cheap Imitation

Oftentimes, when we cannot afford a brand-named item, we settle for a lesser-known brand of the same thing. It essentially does the exact same thing but for a fraction of the cost as it not a brand-named item.

People do the exact same thing with religion. Instead of searching for God’s church, as described in scripture, they’ll settle for a generic version as it suits their needs. This is why there are so many denominations out there. Why buy the name-brand church, when you can settle for the knockoff version and save yourself time and hurt feelings.

What did Jesus Say?

Our Savior had this to say on this subject, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44-46)

The scheme of redemption and the salvation of your soul should be worth more to you than any trinket or bauble that can found on this planet. To spend eternity in Heaven should be worth more than all of the money and material things that one can acquire in a lifetime.

Conclusion

Instead of settling for a knock-off of God’s church, why not go for the real thing? If you start in the book of Acts, you can learn about the church’s establishment and from there view the letters penned by Paul and the others to get a full understanding of the true church.

One you’ve read through these; you should have no trouble finding His church among the many so-called imitations. One hint to help you is found in Romans 16:16, …The churches of Christ greet you. If you need further assistance, please comment below.