Summer 2001
The Price of Truth
Wade E Taylor

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matt 22:14.

If the Lord had made spirituality attractive and easy to attain, multitudes would have followed Him.

There were times of visitation” at Pinecrest during which the presence of the Lord substantially
increased. During these times, the word spread and many came. During one prolonged time of visitation, the enrollment increased from 80 to 180. But soon after the visitation lifted, the visitors were gone and we returned to having about 80 students. There had been a time of intense preparation that led to these times, but these only came for the “desert” and received accordingly.

There is a vast difference between a prophet and a politician. The term “grass roots” refers to discovering what people desire. The politician then offers what the majority wants and as a result, becomes popular and is elected. In other words, the politician seeks out which way the majority are going. Then he stands in front of them and says, “Follow me.”

But the prophet stands alone and says, “You are going the wrong way, turn around.” The politician is popular because he relates to the majority. The prophet is never popular because his word is costly and requires change. People often are deceived because they choose that which is presently comfortable, rather than being willing to pay the price of “Truth.”

“But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes,
shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from
him much will be required” Luke 12:48 NKJV.

“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every
son whom He receives” Heb 12:6.

The truth is costly and the result often not seen, but to choose less, in the long run is much more costly.

“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:
enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matt 25:23. (emphasis added).

This “faithfulness” relates to “patience.” Notice that the word says “well done,” not “much done.”

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to
God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him.” Heb 11:6 NKJV.

Those who continually look for “something for nothing” are open to deception. Many of these will compromise, rather than submit to the Lord's way. He works very slowly, but very thoroughly, as He is more interested in what we are becoming, than in what we do.

Our “self” will always seek comfort and ease of life. The enemy of our spiritual lives also sought for his personal gain.

“For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit
on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the
north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be
like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:13-15 NKJV.

Satan sought his own will and comfort – “I will.” Jesus always said, “Thy will be done.” He never acted on his own, or sought His own gain and comfort.

After Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened and the Father spoke, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The Holy Spirit descended upon him, and the approbation, or, the favor of God, rested upon Him. But immediately, he was led into the wilderness where he was tested for forty days. At the end of this time, Jesus became intensely hungry and the enemy came to remind Him that He was very capable of doing something about this intense hunger. Jesus refused, saying that His Father had not told Him to do so.

Each of us "hunger" for all kinds of things. We can submit these "hungers" to the word, and to the will of God, as Jesus did - "It is written." Or, we can act on our own, seeking self satisfaction. In effect, Satan said, "If you are the Son of God, you do not need to be hungry, therefore, You should do something about it."

Satan acted very concerned and may have shed some sympathy tears about the hunger that Jesus was experiencing. But in truth, he would have viciously turned on Jesus, just as soon as He had attempted to satisfy His hunger, and say, "I hungered for prestige and popularity. I wanted to be seen and heard and I acted on it, (“I will ascend”) now, You cannot judge me as You are no different than I."

If Jesus had failed this simple but profound test, it would have resulted in His becoming disqualified to become our Saviour. Rather, Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word ..." Later, the angels came and fed Him a much better meal.

Jesus said, “I do nothing of myself” John 8:28b. This tells us that Jesus walked on water because He had a word to do so. Thus, Jesus was not walking on water, but on the “substance” of the word He had heard from His Father.

While in the boat, Peter said, “Lord, if this is You, bid me come.” Jesus responded with the word, “come.” Now Peter also is walking on “substance” as he has a word – “come.” He did well until he looked down from Jesus to the water and as a result, began to sink. But Jesus reached out and took him by the hand and pulled him up. The Lord is always present in every test.

Our being tested precedes the blessing. Thus, Acts I:8 becomes a powerful present word.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8.

The word “after” confirms to us that we must first be tested, before the blessing and power are ours.

“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee,
and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the
water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon
him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-13.

“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by
the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil.” Luke 4:1-2.

“And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a
season. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there
went out a fame of him through all the region round about.” Luke 4:13-14.
(Emphasis added).

The “power and fame” came, only after Jesus had been tested, not when He was filled.

There is no easy formula to success. There is a price. It will come only after we have been tested, or after we have spent time, waiting in His presence.