What is Truth?
Read the Text: John 18
Memorize the Text: He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)
Consider the Text: John 18:32-38
Pilate asked Jesus a question that permeated through the generations, “What is truth?” People today battle with this question due to the influence of cultural perception and the ignoring of God’s truth. Pilate’s question to Jesus points to Jesus’ “I Am” statement that he is the truth, and as a result, when we seek authentic, absolute truth, we must look to Jesus. So how do we answer this lasting question?
We must begin by UNDERSTANDING REAL TRUTH. Genuine truth is absolute. Absolute indicates that versions of the truth do not exist because there is only one truth. Truth does not rest on the situation but exists as constant and unchanging. When Jesus referred to himself as the truth in John 14:6, he became truth's very definition and description. Likewise, truth is narrow and not broad. Jesus declared the difference between the narrow and the wide in the Sermon on the Mount. The narrow nature of truth points to the reality that multiple truths concerning one thing cannot authentically exist.
When one understands the truth, they know that truth is exclusive. Truth does not allow for truth and untruth to be joined together in tolerance. Truth and tolerance compete against one another because tolerance desires to accept that which is not true. When one holds to absolute truth, then tolerance of accepting other beliefs as equal cannot exist. Let’s be clear, one must still love and respect the other person, but one does not accept their broad, relative view of truth.
The reason to understand absolute truth exists is that postmodern truth is a DISGUISED TRUTH THAT THREATENS. The postmodern mindset holds to the acceptance of the “ISMs.” Two examples of “ISMs” would be relativism and pluralism. Relativism holds that truth is relative and based on circumstance, opinion, and moment. This belief means that all truth rests in what an individual believes to be true, not in a foundational, absolute truth. Pluralism is the belief that all truth leads to the same destination, and no such truth can claim exclusivity. Such beliefs appear good in the eyes of humanity, but they exist as nothing but a false truth claim.
The church must guard against the “ISMs.” The presence of these “ISMs” threaten to lessen the significance of sin. When truth becomes relative, sin becomes lessened because sin becomes defined in the eyes of the beholder. At the same time, these movements threaten the church by challenging the moral conviction of people because morality becomes based on the moment and not the truth. As a result, a relationship with Christ becomes unnecessary because false truth overshadowed the Truth.
The believer needs to DESIRE and SEEK the truth. Pilate’s question demonstrated a longing to know the real truth. He desired to know more than what was spoken to him by the people. So when he encountered the Messiah, he took the opportunity to seek the truth. The critical component centers on the need to is a willingness to analyze the evidence and admit when you are wrong. This approach occurs when we set our hearts toward a seeking attitude of listening and evaluating.
We must never seek truth anywhere apart from Christ. He is the definition of truth. He is the sustainer of truth. We must readily analyze what we believe and surrender the components that do not align with Christ. May we constantly ask the question, “What is truth?”
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
