What is Truth?

Bible Reading: John 18:19-38

Jesus made a profound statement when He said to Pilate, “I have come into the world, to testify to the truth” [John 18:37]. Pilate responded with cynicism [the Amplified Bible uses the word scornfully, asking, “What is truth?” Although spoken with cynicism by Pilate, it is nevertheless, a vital question, and the subject of men’s searching for centuries.

God’s truth is neither abstract nor relative. It consists of absolute. For many people in a postmodern society this is uncomfortable and regarded as divisive, because it separates between right and wrong. But that is exactly what truth does! Truth is not necessarily what the majority of people believe. In a postmodern society the general view of truth is that it is relative and dependent on a given situation or circumstance. This totally unbiblical view would make truth to be without absolutes. The irony is that people who say this hold an absolute – because the only absolute that they then hold is that there are no absolutes. To view truth in this way is to remove the basis of right and wrong and leaves us in moral danger.

Absolute truth is essential for righteousness. By absolute we mean that which remains the same whatever the circumstances. God is unchanging! Truth is a fundamental characteristic of God. His Word is truth, both in its written form and in Jesus whom the Bible describes as the Word [John 1:1-4].

We are to seek for truth and in finding truth we will gain everything else that is good. It is in the knowing of truth that we find true freedom [John 8:36]. When you face Jesus the Truth, you must make a decision. In that sense He is divisive, and actually said so. He said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” [Matthew 10:34]. Truth does divide people, but as we daily face different situations we need to continually fortify ourselves with the truth. God’s Word is truth! Read it! Speak it! Memorize it! Believe it! Use it when the enemy attacks your mind!

Writing about truth, C. S. Lewis said, “If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair” [http://www.brainyquote.com]

Sadly Pilate asked the question, “What is truth,” but did not embrace or support Jesus, the Truth. As far we know Pilate never came to know the truth. The historian Eusebius records the fact that Pilate ultimately committed suicide during the reign of the emperor Caligula. A sad ending and a reminder for everyone that ignoring the truth always leads to undesired consequences.

Questions:

How would you answer a person who asked you the question, “What is truth”?

Are you facing a difficult situation today? Why not ask God to give you a word or a truth from His Word? Then keep speaking it out until the truth of His Word becomes a part of your spirit.

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