The Extraction of Truth
Greetings and good morning 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 revelations of spiritual truth to me, and I want to share them
with you. This morning we seek to understand the meaning of the extraction of truth.
And now, sit back and listen to today's message.
The Extraction of Truth
Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John, Chapter
8, Verse 32.
Brothers and sister, the experiences of life contain and conceal truth that is revealed as a result of
going through the experiences and subsequently seeking the truth that is revealed in them. The
meanings and values of truth are revealed in ever-increasing depth, proportional to the difficulty of
the experience. In other words, the more difficult the experience, the greater the truth contained
within. The potential for discovering truth within our souls is stimulated by the experience of
grappling with ever-increasing and difficult moral and spiritual choices. The potential for truth
discernment unfolds in response to choosing good over evil, in response to choosing truth over error,
in the very face of evil and error in ever-increasing complex situations. When mastered, the
progressive experiences yield a greater qualitative consciousness of the heavenly Father, who is
Truth.
The other day while on my way to work, I happened to catch part of a radio discussion on Attention
Deficit Disorder. This is a disorder that prevents children and even adults from acquiring
information. It is the nature of this disorder to dysfocus the attention of its recipient so that the
person cannot focus long enough on the task at hand to complete it. In the past and also currently,
drugs have been used to treat this medical problem. The guest speaker was sharing a new concept
that he had discovered and was successfully using in his practice to manage this intellectual crippling
disorder.
The speaker had discovered a 5-step process for mastering this disorder. The five steps were
Connect, Imagine, Practice, Master, and Recognition. The first step in this process as he explained
was to connect or establish a relationship with a person. This person would be the model that the
deficit disordered person would emulate. Next, he stated that the person was to use his imagination
to arrive at a set of behaviors that was acceptable to the role model. After discovering this, he was
to practice this behavior under different and varied circumstances until such time as he could
produce this behavior consistently no matter what the circumstances. This would lead to mastery.
The person has mastered the behavior so that it has become second nature to him. He knows it so
well that he does not have to think about it. It happens automatically. Finally there comes recognition
from the role model that he has succeeded. This recognition also comes from his associates who
recognize the acceptable behavior which serves as a reward and reinforces the behavior. These steps
if consistently adhered to according to the speaker would produce a normal intellectual person who
while he may still have Attention Deficit Disorder has mastered the disorder and turned it to his
advantage.
I immediately saw the spiritual parallel. I was filled with joy and excitement as I realized that I had
just discovered a new truth, a new spiritualization of meaning and value. In responding to the
merciful command of the heavenly Father to be perfect, similar steps are employed. These steps are
designed to transform us into a perfected spirit, a spiritual son or daughter of the Heavenly Father,
a true reflector of the Father's character through his Son, Jesus. First, there is the step of establishing
the relationship. This relationship is established when the Father's spirit takes up residence in our
minds and creates our souls. This soul is the vehicle that is transformed into a perfected spiritual
being and becomes a personalized concept of truth. We establish this relationship on our end by
faith, accepting the Father through his Son, Jesus, as our role model, as our mentor, as the "one
altogether lovely among ten thousand." This spirit of the Father is the source of the appropriate
conduct as revealed by Jesus, the Spirit of Truth. After we accept the Father as our image, we then
begin the process of spiritual imagination (inspiration), where in prayer and worship we learn of the
acceptable conduct and attitude to be displayed in the differing situations of life. Each situation has
its own challenge that is designed to bring out a specific aspect of the Father's character.
After establishing the correct conduct and attitude as displayed by the Spirit of Truth, we must
practice these qualities of spiritual perfection over and over again until they are perfected in our souls
and minds. The practice of these qualities under different circumstances in ever progressive
experiences leads to the next stage in the transformation process, mastery.
Under the canopy of mastery, the perfected soul displays the fruits of the spirit in all moral and
spiritual encounters under all circumstances. The Father's character is perfectly displayed. We have
learned to have faith in the Father no matter what the vicissitudes of life bring. We have discovered
not only eternal life but have discovered that we have been made better by the experiences that
require faith and trust. Through it all our souls have learned to trust in God.
Mastery of the Father's character through the Spirit of Truth not only brings about recognition and
acknowledgment by our spiritual peers, but by the incomparable recognition by God the Father, who
declares, "this is a beloved son in whom I am well pleased."
This concludes today's message on understanding the meaning of the extraction 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 Extraction of Truth
