Truth

What is truth? The simplest definition is: the real facts about something: the things that are true

: the quality or state of being true

: a statement or idea that is true or accepted as true.

Truth is not a simple matter. We all perceive facts and consider things to be true when in reality it may not be true. I heard someone say recently that he speaks the truth to everyone he meets and if people don't like it then that is too bad. Just by saying that we always speak the truth is in itself not true. Do we always speak things that are true? I know I don't. I'm not saying I'm a liar; I'm just not accurate in all things that I say. I might think I speak all things true but with age comes more facts and more knowledge that builds upon what little truth that I hope I have.

Also erroneous is the idea that our perception of truth is absolute. That it is fixed and never changes within us. With God truth is absolute for He changes not but with us our personal aspect of truth is always expanding or changing according to our growth as individuals. The Bible says that we see in part,

"For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Corinthians 13-9-12).

Truth is not fixed for us but is expanding and opening our minds unto a broader picture of reality as we experience life.

What about outlandish opinions that people might say? Here is an example, "My wife is the most beautiful woman in the world?" Certainly we could agree without violating our beliefs and going against what we consider truth to be. However, how does that work?  Let's look at a concept of truth that most use in this world:

Relativism is the concept that points of view have no absolute truth or validity within themselves, but rather only relative, subjective value according to differences in perception and consideration.

I really don't like this definition of relativism. However it is a worldly one that we must consider. I think there is absolute truth and relative truth. Absolute truth comes from the Bible whereas relative truth comes from our understanding of the world around us and certain facts or perceived facts become more and more subjugated by us in our own personal perception and consideration.

Now let's refer to the statement that someone makes about their wife being the most beautiful woman in the world. Is it valid to say so? Should we argue against such an idea and try to bring sense to the deluded mind that says such a thing? No, instead we simply understand that his wife is the most beautiful woman in the world in his own perception. It is not absolute truth but a truth that he made for himself according to his own perception and consideration. We can thereby conceive that some truths are meant for you alone and not for me. They might be valid for you but not for me.

Don't get so narrow minded or hung up on truth that you cannot see it varied shades of meanings when used in different context of our modern lives. Truth is defined in many ways in our modern culture.

That's alright if you don't believe everything that I write. Sometimes I am flawed in my thinking or see a different aspect of truth that you do not see. Perhaps, you are looking at things in a different perspective than I do. What is true for me may not be true for you and that is okay. However let us now get into absolute truth.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Not everyone that reads the Bible will find absolute truth. They pick and choose only what they want to believe and by ignoring the rest of the WORD they get only a partial view of truth. As a follower of absolute truth you will have to read the whole book and take it all in.

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:22.

It is so important to know absolute truth. It is so important that we are commanded to eat it every day. It is life to our bodies and nourishment to our bones,

Matthew 4:4

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Absolute truth can be confusing at times. Take this truth,

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

If you only took the first six words of John 16 and started preaching love, you would have missed most of the other verses of scripture that would have given you a more balance view of God's love. Many have mastered deception by using only portions of scriptures. For instance, God is love, He accepts you the way you are (addition). You might be the worse sinner but God loves you and will take you to heaven. His gates are open to everyone. If you won't enter, that's okay; he will bear you upon His shoulders and carry you in. No matter what religion, we are all the children of God. We are all objects of His love and free grace (addition). Adolf Hitler might not have been perfect but with grace, he is beloved of God. (Addition means it was added to the Word of God but it is not of the Word.)

True Bible believers weigh all the facts before preaching the truth. They are careful not to say something from the WORD that is not true. John 3:16 is a good verse but we must read the rest of it. We find that only those who believe on Christ will not perish. God loves us enough to send us a savior but it is only by faith in Him that we become one of the beloved in Christ.

How many times have you heard that we are not saved by works? It is true that we are not saved by works that we do. Our works have no consequences in our acquiring salvation. Ephesians says,

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast" Ephesians 2:8-9.

We are not saved by our works but nevertheless we are saved by works. We are saved by the works of God.

It took planning:

Ephesians 1:4

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

It took predestination. Jesus was conformed, and born as a man:

Romans 8:29

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

It took obedience:

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

It took death in dying for our sins:

1 Corinthians 15:3

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”

It took life by being raised again:

1 Corinthians 15:4

“And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Yes, we are saved by His works. We are saved, sealed, and delivered by the power of God.

This subject on truth is never ending. It is so vast that I believe I have only scratched the surface. I would only add today is that we need to get to know absolute truth. He is a person. That person is Jesus Christ. Don't try to make Him what you think he should be but let Him be the Great "I AM" in your life. As He reveals Himself to you, humbly submit to His care and enjoy every nugget of Himself that He gives you.  Truth will set you free because absolute Truth is God and he cares about you and wants to reveal Himself to you.