We who follow Jesus and believe his words from Genesis to Revelation can be assured of two things: He is truth and His words are trustworthy. He cannot lie. Likewise, we who are representatives of Him here on earth are to hold fast to that which is true, speak truthfully to each other, and use right judgement in discerning good from evil.
“For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” - Luke 8:17
Truth endures over time and more importantly, in eternity. Lies, while they may deceive for a season, eventually self-implode, making themselves known by their inevitable self-destruction. Truth is true whether we believe it or not – the effect that truth has on our hearts has no bearing on its objective truthfulness. Depending on the state of our hearts, truth may be received with gladness and humility or rejected in bitterness and pride. As in the Parable of the Sower, our reception depends on the quality of the soil in which the seeds of truth fall.
Matthew Henry wrote, “If truth be spoken, it will hold good; whoever may be disobliged, still it will keep its ground. What is true will be always true; we may abide by it and need not fear being disproved and put to shame.”
May we, in whom the Spirit of Truth resides, be like the wise man who hears the whole counsel of God and puts it into practice, building on a sure foundation of truth in accordance to His Word. As we meditate on God’s words and rely on the guidance of His Holy Spirit, we will find we have everything we need to live a life pleasing to Him (1 Pet 1:3). His Word provides the lens through which we evaluate all voices – both within the Church and outside of it.
At Jesus’ trial he told Pilate, "For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” - John 18:37-38
There has been widespread abandonment that of the belief that there can be objective, discernable truth that can be ascertained (that gives us freedom!), which has led Christians following false teachers that lead them to a false gospel of self-righteousness. We are warned repeatedly about this threat in the New Testament because "people would not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2 Tim. 4:3). Conservative talk radio and cable news has provided this for evangelicals over the past 30 years. Satan disguises himself as an angel of light and using his messengers who employ Christian imagery and terminology, they can deceive even the elect.
It's not "my truth" vs "your truth" but God's truth that our opinions must be calibrated to. The only way the Church can be united is under the banner of truth, using Scripture as our lens to discern what is true and good from what is false and evil. Will we show ourselves to be truth-seekers pursuing wisdom or partisans parroting worldly ideologies that stoke our self-righteousness?
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