WHAT IS TRUTH?
I randomly picked up my old King James Bible I received in 1974 at the age of twelve. The yellowed pages fell open to scribble marks my toddler son had made, who is now thirty-two. A truth struck me as my eyes filled with a sheen of sentimental tears, I'm getting old. This is a truth.
What is truth? Is my truth, or your truth, or whatever we perceive to be truth, the bench mark for truth? We live in a world where absolutes are considered narrow-minded, prejudice, and even hateful. Messages are mixed. Money and possessions are the gateway to all truth and a good life, knowledge or science elevates a select few into the realm of truth, or the theory of self-truth where whatever your experience dictates, is truth. Wikipedia states "Various theories and views of truth continue to be debated among scholars, philosophers, and theologians.[
This question has been asked throughout the ages but Jesus had no problem answering it. Pilate (the Roman governor who had the power to order Jesus' death in John 18:37,38) ask this question of Jesus.
"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
"What is truth? Pilate asked.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus stated unapologetically that He was the Truth.
FOR THE SEEKER OR SKEPTIC
The unwavering, unapologetic stance of Jesus to claim that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, can feel almost offensive to one who does not know the wonderful benefits of accepting this truth into your life.
You may ask, what about other religions or philosophies? Or say, "I am more comfortable with the idea of creating my own truth?"
Jesus did not concern Himself with untruth, He boldly stated. "I am Truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32
So, I'm going to take Jesus' lead and concentrate on the wonder of belonging to the family of Truth. I'm going to ask you to be brave and call out to Jesus, the Truth. I encourage you to tell Him you want to feel free, you want to understand truth, you want to belong to His family. Simply put, Jesus, the Truth, is the pathway to God—the only path to God. He did not apologize for that statement and neither do I, because I know I am a living testimony to His loving hand of healing and grace.
I know from personal experience the power of this wonderful Jesus, when He said that He can bind up the broken-hearted and set the captive free, He meant it … because He is truth and I am a living, breathing testimony of His grace.
This amazing Truth is waiting for you.
FOR THE BELIEVER – WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU HAVE STARTED OUT A PRAYER "DEAR TRUTH?" ...
We often call out on God, or Jesus, but rarely, if ever, do we call on the name "Truth."
When I prayed about what name I was to expound upon on this week "I am the way, the Truth and the Life," came to mind. I immediately lumped all three names together, and was shocked when the Spirit urged to hone in on the name Truth only. I stopped and digested this message and realized how different each name is. The name Truth deserves its own platform.
The Truth in reference to Jesus …
John 1:14 "The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and TRUTH."
John 9:58 "I tell you the TRUTH," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I AM!"
The Truth in reference to the Holy Spirit …
John 14:16-17 "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of TRUTH. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you." Read also John 16:13
The Truth in reference to the Father …
Isaiah 45:19 … I, the Lord, speak the TRUTH; I declare what is right. V.21 … And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.
All this to encourage, a different kind of prayer this week as you go about your days. Start with the title "dear Truth."
Come to me dear Truth.
Fall afresh on me oh Spirit of Truth.
Brighten my path Father of Truth.
Show me where I fail and need your Truth.
As I stumble along through the trials of my life, give me your Truth, Your Love, but most of all the power to walk on… unafraid of Truth.
Amen
Why do we pray "Dear Truth?" Because Jesus said the truth will set us free. Free to share our testimony to help other heal. Free of shame and failure (and I've failed plenty in my life.) Free of the power of sin and pride. Free to fail and accept grace. I fail, you fail, because there is no person without sin, but the amazing TRUTH is … we are free when we embrace you—dear Truth.
Go forth in the power of the One who is Truth, your week is waiting for you. Cry out to His wonderful name TRUTH and He will walk alongside you and guide you.