In John 7:17, the Lord gives us a most basic principle for understanding truth, "If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself." If we are going to know the truth, we must be committed to living that truth. It is not those who just know the truth about the cross who are saved, but those who have had the truth of the cross applied to their lives. When this truth is applied to our lives, we are born again into a life of union and obedience to God. As we are told in Psalm 25:12-13:

 

       Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.

       His soul will abide in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.

 

The fear of the Lord is required if we are to receive His guidance and instruction, or receive our inheritance. The goal of truth is not just so we can know the way, but also so that we will walk in the way. Without a solid foundation of the pure and holy fear of the Lord, we will build our lives on the weak foundation of knowing the truth but not doing it. Therefore, the true nature of our spiritual lives is revealed in the way we behave when no one is looking, and when know no one could find out. Who we are in secret before God is who we are.

 

As the next verse states, the one who fears the Lord and receives His instruction will abide in prosperity and His children will inherit the land. This is the foundation of the true nobility. The original purpose of the nobility was to plant righteous families in the earth who would be righteous generation after generation. These were also the land owners, because the righteous were to inherit the land. Of course, this was perverted whenever a generation did not walk in the fear of the Lord. However, to plant a family in the earth that walks in the fear of the Lord is still our calling, and should be the goal of every Christian. As we walk in the fear of the Lord, and pass this on to our children, our families will prosper, inherit the land, and be righteous seeds in the earth.

 

As we are told in Proverbs 22:1, "A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold." Those who fear the Lord determine that they will establish a name that is esteemed for truth, honor, integrity, and true Christian charity. We must impart to our children the knowledge that the true fear of the Lord is our most valuable possession, and that to live our lives to serve and obey Him is the highest calling. Those who walk in this are the true nobility. Their names are not just known on the earth, they are written in the book of Life.

 

The first Adam had a bride who lived in a perfect world, yet chose to sin. The "last Adam," Jesus, will have a bride who lived in a most imperfect world, but chose to obey. This is our calling, and is a success whose treasure will last forever.