p. 7 | THE PRICE OF TRUTH by C. A. Watkins

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 15, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 41.

THE PRICE OF TRUTH.

By C. A. Watkins

BY C. A. WATKINS.

"Buy the truth, and sell it not." Prov. 23:23. While the value of truth is past estimate, and no special or limited price is placed upon it, it is within the reach of all; and, tho persons vary, it comes to all the same; and, while all may have it, the price must be paid.

God says, "Buy the truth." But will we pay the price? Heaven itself has purchased truth at infinite price: The Lord has given the life of his Only Begotten, the greatest sacrifice ever offered. The most costly price ever paid was paid to ransom a sin-cursed world, and bring it back to truth. So Christ bought us for truth and in truth. We are to buy the truth. But what is truth? "Thy word is truth." John 17:17. God's word is his power to save. Rom. 1:17.

But the price must be paid. If we choose God's word, we reject the fables of men. The two have no fellowship with each other. The Saviour prayed, "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." John 17:17. He prayed not that his disciples should be taken out of the world, but that they should be kept from the evil, or sanctified, set apart through faith, from the ways and evils of the world. This he said should be done by the truth. This is giving up all to God; and this is the cost of truth to every one who receives it.

The martyrs of old loved God unto death. They chose the truth, and were separated from the world, hated by all men, called heretics and demons, torn from friends and loved ones, burned at the stake, and tortured in the most cruel manner; yet they praised the Lord amidst the flames, and died rejoicing in the truth, so dearly purchased for them, and for which they gave all. Yet they esteemed not the cost to them too high. They gladly paid the price, and took the truth.

To-day God says to us, "Buy the truth." It is the same eternal truth he offers us that he offered the martyrs of old, pointing out present danger, present duty, and present promise. But what is its cost to us? Those who receive it must pay the price,—all they have and are. God's word is not changed. In no way has it compromised with the fallen world. The doctrines of men it still condemns; for they will not approve of its searching truths, but seek to destroy its very influence in the world. Those who buy it will be despised of men, rejected by loved ones, scorned by the world; yea, they may be imprisoned, set to work in chain-gangs with the low and base, or suffer even death. But is the price too much?—It is to some. Many refuse to lose a few paltry dollars in business, for the truth's sake. The pleadings of a worldly companion, or the scorns of a would-be Christian teacher, turn many to darkness and ruin. The price they think too much.

Many love the truth at sight, they purchase it forthwith, but never consider the cost. When trials come, friends desert, loved ones condemn, false teachers scorn them, and the law convicts them; they sell the truth for naught. They find the price too high. Its sanctifying influence they can not endure. Satan sifts them as wheat. To pay the price means to give all, but it also means peace, joy unspeakable, and eternal life through Christ; but to choose the world and the easy, man-made theories of salvation means misery, trouble, and death. There is offered to the world a cheap salvation, an easy way to glory, man-made doctrines, and pleasing fables, smooth ways, popular notions, to purchase which makes friends, fame, and honor. Pride, selfishness, and all its sins are uncondemned. Well hath the word declared, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. 16:25.

The truth will cost a price; it is none too great; for with it comes eternal salvation. While "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12), yet "if we suffer, we shall also reign with him" (chap. 2:12). It pays to buy the truth, let it cost what it may. The tribulation here is not to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed.

Norfolk, Va.