Buy The Truth And Sell It Not –Pastor Kcofie Ferguson

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23 

Here is one of the great truths of the way of salvation. We buy things we can see, feel, and handle. But rather remarkably, we are told to buy the truth. Now examining the text, it can be divided into three categories:

1. A treasure
2. A command
3. Danger/Warning

A Treasure

“Buy the truth”

The truth is presented to us as a treasure in the text. We don’t buy something that is not precious to us. So when the Scripture admonishes us to buy the truth, it is pointing us to something precious– a treasure. Again, we only buy things that are in actual existence. This is true also of truth. Truth exists, Truth can be known.

Many philosophers have declared truth to be subjective. However, Scripture tells us truth can be known and indeed applied to our lives (John 18:38). What is truth one may ask? There is truth about creation, about humanity’s beginnings, about the cause of pain, diseases, death, life after death e.t.c.

While Jesus was on trial, Pilate asked him: “What is truth?” This was not a random question, but a question that reveals the heart of humanity; we are searching for the truth. Now to seek and search for truth, one must come to Scripture.

God’s Word Is Truth

God’s word has been revealed from generation to generation. The Bible stands tall above all other books and authors. Spanning a period of 1000years by 40 different authors yet speaking the same grand truth about salvation. The Bible declares the truth, is reliable and honest. It records both the victories and failures of its characters hiding nothing. It speaks with power and answers many questions being asked today. It is authoritative in its commands and precepts.

Its influence is great. The Bible also carries a converting power (Psalm 19:7). It changes hearts, It affects the hearts of sinners. In Scriptures, the glory of Christ is revealed.

God’s Truth in The Gospel

The gospel brings light. The gospel points us to our need for change in our hearts and lives, though we may act otherwise. It calls us to a relationship with God through Christ. We are sinners who need Salvation and the gospel brings us that message of salvation.

God’s Truth In The Person of Christ

Jesus Christ is the truth (John 14:6). No religious leader has ever declared himself as the truth but only Christ. He is the embodiment of truth. He opens our eyes to our need for a saviour. He died to save us from sin and the punishment of it. All of God’s truth culminates in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3).

A Command

“Buy The Truth…”

To buy is to procure. It means gaining possession of something. The truth is something we must have. In the sense of having or buying the truth, what must we buy?

Forgiveness

In Isaiah 55:1, Scripture speaks about buying “milk and wine” without money. It speaks also of coming to the water for those who are thirsty. Clearly, God calls us to himself, not in exchange for money but freely. We must seek God’s forgiveness which is given freely. When God asks us to buy the truth, it has no monetary transactional value.  It is about repentance. God’s forgiveness is in the person of  Christ to whom we must come. We cannot continue in our sins. We need to seek forgiveness in Christ.

How Do We Buy The Truth?

1. By seeking and searching for the truth (Is. 55:1-3, John 5:39).
2. Come by faith (Rom 10:17; Eph. 2:8)
3. By Submission. We must submit ourselves to God’s word to lead us