The Edge of Truth
Greetings, brothers and sisters. This is Dr. James Perry continuing with our series where we seek to
explore the deeper meanings of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years, the heavenly
Father has revealed many spiritual truths to me, and I want to share them with you. This morning we
ponder truth.
And now, sit back and listen to today's message.
The Edge of Truth
Jesus said, "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear
witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." John, Chapter 18,
Verse 37.
Brothers and sisters, after Jesus had fed the five thousand and after they sought to make him king,
the vast majority of them followed Him no more because he declined. These people had reached the
edge of truth. When they realized the truth they were presented with was not to their liking, they
turned away. Today this shifting continues.
The Father has commanded us to be perfect even as He is perfect. This is not an impossible
command. The Father has given us everything that we need to accomplish this supreme goal. And
this remains true in spite of the fact that so few of us achieve this goal. The Father has given us the
power to accomplish this goal in the form of faith, love, and goodness. Faith is the assurance that
this stupendous undertaking can be completed. Faith is the assurance that the Father is guiding us
every step of the way; faith is the confidence that we can make it.
Love is the all-embracing spiritual affection that imparts a sense of security in the face of constant
temporal insecurity. In the process of achieving perfection, there are sorrowful, painful, and
disappointing temporal and material experiences. Were it not for the overshadowing affection of
divine love, discouragement and despair would cripple our struggling souls. If we feel loved, we
know can make it.
There is also goodness, which is the absolute foundation for learning to trust the Father. Without
this, there would be no basis for having faith in God. Divine goodness assures us that the Father will
never change his loving regard for us.
The Father also gives us his righteousness, so that we can become like him. He gives us the qualities
of meekness, gentleness, and temperance, for these are qualities of a righteous character. Meekness
is a quality that disarms the haughty and proud. It is the sugar that catches the flies of the so-called
self-righteous. A meek personality will never arouse antagonism. It is quiet and never insists on its
way since it knows that truth will eventually win out. The degree of meekness displayed by any
person is the measure of their faith in divine truth.
Then there is gentleness. Gentleness is the quality that makes way for the revelation of new truth in
the material mind. It is the oil that allows the gears of truth to turn smoothly. Gentleness disarms the
fear of the new and true. It quiets the turmoil that is often associated with unexpected truths and
unpleasant facts.
Next is temperance, which is the balance between truth and error, between good and evil. The rapid
and overwhelming barrage of truth and goodness on an error -and evil-riddled character destroys the
slow emergence of truth and goodness in the same character. While it is true that good will overcome
evil and truth will overcome error, this process is balanced and tempered by the flow of time and the
distance of space. The actual overcoming of good over evil and truth over error is a gradual process
that precedes at a pace that is almost imperceptible from day to day. But the fullness of time and the
traversal of space reveal the ultimate victory of truth and goodness.
Finally the Father give us happiness so that we can display this magnetic quality to those with whom
we associate. The display of spiritual power and spiritual righteousness, though effective in
convincing others of the superior way of carrying out moral duties, does not attract others to walk
in the way of truth and goodness. Only a happy laborer will attract others who are basically skeptical.
Pleasure is something that convinces all.
The Father gives us long suffering, peace, and joy. Long suffering is essential to the achievement of
spiritual goals (that is, in overcoming evil with good and error over truth in ourselves and others).
Without the exercise of eternal patience, our efforts to display goodness and pursue truth eventuate
in evil and error. Without the exercise of divine patience, the emergence of truth is delayed and the
ascent of goodness is retarded.
Next is joy---a spiritual manifestation and the basic reaction of a spirit-filled soul. Spiritual joy is the
prevailing attitude upon which all other material reactions are based. It is an inward reaction that
overshadows all other reactions, be they pain, sorrow, or disappointment; or material pleasure,
happiness, or success. This is the joy that fills our souls as we go about carrying out the routine tasks
that are ours by assignment or choice. This spiritual joy is the revelation of divine meanings and
spiritual values in and through carrying out our moral responsibilities. Divine meanings and spiritual
values are intrinsically joyful.
Then there is peace. Divine peace is the sense of overwhelming satisfaction that fills our minds and
souls when we are sure about our relationship with the Father. Divine peace emerges when the
correct relationship exists between the meanings we hold. Only when we know the correct meanings
and values, and the correct relationship between them can we experience unity (beauty). Only unity
brings peace. Erroneous meanings and evil values bring and maintain turmoil in the mind and soul.
So armed with the power, the righteousness, and the happiness of the Father through His son, Jesus,
we are equipped to obey that awesome command: Be you perfect even as your Father in heaven is
perfect. There is something in all of us that urges us to do our best no matter what the assigned tasks.
And this urge is no more than the perfection urge of the Father's spirit in our souls urging us to be
complete even as the Father in heaven is complete.
The truth is that we are the sons and daughters of the heavenly Father, and the edge of truth is that
ever-expanding process of progressive moral and spiritual experiences. These experiences helps us
to grow morally and spiritually perfect even as the Father in heaven is morally and spiritually perfect.
These experiences teach us how to choose good over evil, no matter the circumstances, and how to
be motivated by love and dominated by mercy.
This concludes today's message on understanding the meaning of the edge of truth. We hope you find
something in this message to ponder and pray about as you go about your day. Until next time, this
is Dr. James Perry
Inspirational Messages
By Dr. James Perry
Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done!
The Edge of Truth
