What is Truth?

In this technologically-advanced world, we find ourselves often mystified by the amount of knowledge available to us. We thought that computers would simplify our lives and lessen our burden of work. How wrong we were! Now we have become specialists of multi-tasking, and our stress levels have multiplied exponentially.

Amidst all that clutter that attacks us daily, we must determine what is worthwhile and what is not, what is truth and what is not. More often than not we are baffled, and we ask ourselves: “What is truth?”

We faced that very challenge when we were at Cape Breton in 2003. When we awoke, the weather network predicted that it would be a gorgeous day. But when we looked out the window of our motel room, a storm was definitely brewing. How were we supposed to dress? Should we take our umbrellas or our suntan lotion? Would we be able to take the boat trip we had planned, or should we cancel it? Who should we believe?

At the end, the boat company cancelled the trip. The water on the Gulf of St. Lawrence was so rough that no boats were allowed out of harbour.

Pilate, too, asked that very question (See John 18:38) when he found himself between a rock and a hard place. The popular vote wanted Jesus dead, but he realized that Jesus was truly innocent.

Just before that Jesus had testified: “I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37 NIV)

At the end Pilate vouched on the side of popularity. After all, shouldn’t he do everything in his power to prevent riots in the city? It’s true that he tried to free this innocent man called Jesus by letting the people decide who to free: Jesus or Barabbas. However, the popularity of the people seemed more important to him than the truth of an innocent man. Barabbas was let go and Jesus was put to a horrendous death.

Too often truth is sacrificed for our own conveniences.

In all reality, how often do we find an utterly truthful person? More often than not, most of the people we encounter have skeletons in their closets.

Does it mean we shouldn’t love them? Not at all! But at the same time, truth has become a rare commodity!

I know of only One who always could declare truthfully: “I tell you the truth…” (See Matt 5:18, 26; Mat 6:2, 5, 10; Mat 8:10; Mat 10:15, 23, 42… NIV)

Why could He do so without any deceit?

Because He is Truth! “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV).

How can He be Truth?

Because He was there before the beginning of creation! “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” (Col 1:16 NIV)

And Jesus confirmed the Truth by willingly and lovingly dying on a cross so that we could experience eternal living! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” NIV

Eternal living only makes sense if we intimately know Truth: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3 NIV)

Truth is not a concept. It is a person! And that person is the very Jesus that so many of us have rejected!

Our reality is altered once we get to know Truth, but unfortunately so many of us resist it instead of embracing it. But it’s through Truth that grace can be found, a term quite foreign in now-a-days society! “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” NIV

How many love to cling to the law as a means of obtaining salvation! Sadly, none of them will ever reach it! “Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?” (John 7:19 NIV)

How many of us prefer to believe a lie than to accept the very fact that Jesus paid the price of our salvation? “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9 NIV)

Remember that Truth is not a concept, but a person!

They are predicting a sunny day today, but when I look out the window, I know better. I have decided I am tired to believe the lies I face on a daily basis. From now on I will not sacrifice Truth for the sake of my own conveniences. I have decided to follow “the” Truth-Jesus alone!

Suntan lotion or an umbrella? What’s your choice?

Rob Chaffart

Part 2