First, what is the question? Here is the full question: “Who is responsible for your knowing the truth?” But this brings forth another question: “What truth is the subject?” Well, let it be put forth in this manner: “Who is responsible for you knowing the truth as revealed in the Bible?” To be more exact, who is responsible for you knowing the truth as revealed in the New Testament?” Would it surprise you, if I were to say, you are responsible for you knowing the truth as revealed in the New Testament?
It appears more and more, that people are blaming others for their not knowing the truth! Just who does God hold accountable for you not knowing the truth. Starting with words of Solomon, wrote this: “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding (Pro. 23:23). One point first, please notice that Solomon wrote: 1) “Buy … wisdom;’ 2) “Buy … instruction;” 3) “Buy … understanding.” This is pointed out, because, these words are never quoted or used in a sermon. Nevertheless, having called attention to three words, let us go back to the text, “Buy the truth and sell it not.” Who is to “buy the truth?” Surprise once more, you are to “buy the truth and sell it not!” You are responsible for your having the truth, then, for not selling the truth! Then, here are the words of Jesus on the subject: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). In this text, just to whom was Jesus speaking? Here is John’s answer as he quotes Jesus: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (verse 31). This verse is seldom quoted or used when writing; nevertheless, this is the context wherein John put Jesus’ words: “to those Jews which believed on him.” Without getting too deeply into the text for this article, please note that Jesus was speaking to Jews, Jews who believed on him! Jesus does not say how they would “know the truth,’ just that they would “know the truth” and that “and the truth” would “make” them “free!” This is more about this text, than, you have heard preachers use in their sermons! The answer is, they would know the truth by means of the inspired apostles of Christ, as they preached it (Mark 16:15! However, as they, the believing Jews, heard the truth, as the apostles peached it, they themselves would be responsible for knowing it! This is true, for the apostles were commissioned to preach the gospel, which is “the truth” to every creature!
Now, let us return to the question, “Who is responsible for you knowing the truth?” First, we might say, your parents are responsible for you knowing the truth; second, we might charge your school teachers for you knowing the truth; third, we might say, your college professors are responsible for you knowing the truth; but finally, you are the responsible person for you not knowing the truth! It just will not do, for you to lay this responsibility on others! It is your personal responsibility for you to know the truth! Thus, the words of Solomon: “Buy the truth and sell it not!” The one person responsible for you knowing or not knowing the truth is you! It is just about as easy saying, who is responsible for you knowing, learning, that one plus one equals two. If I hand you one apple and a friend hands you another apple, how many apples do you have? Well, your parents failed to teach you this; your school teachers did not teach you this; and third, your college professor never pointed out this truth; so who is responsible for you not knowing this truth, that one apple plus another apple is two? You are the responsible person!
It is time that we stop blaming others for our not knowing the truth! Of course, this article is not about apples! It is about something far more important, as it is your soul, that is the real subject! And it is your responsibility to put every required effort within you to know the truth! It is your soul that stands in jeopardy! There is nothing within or without you, that is more important than your own soul/spirit! After all, do you really desire to put your soul into the hands of others and say, do as you please with my soul? No thinking person would ever do such a thing! Of course, I know, and you know, that people do just this every day; but I say unto you, they are not “thinking” people! Or else you do not value your own soul!
So, do you believe that God exists? Who is responsible for you knowing the correct answer to this question? Who is responsible for you searching until you know for sure; yes, God does exist; or no God does not exist? Do you have any idea what would be required of you, to prove that God does not exist? How do you prove a negative? Have you seen everything; have you been everywhere; have you made every test there is? The answer to each and everyone of these is no! So, how can you say that God does not exist?
There are no atheists, just agnostics! They are those who want to believe that others have proved that God does not exist! No one has yet to prove that God does not exist!
Frank R. Williams