What Is Truth?

This was the question that Pilate, the Roman governor in charge of keeping the peace in Judea from 26-36 A.D. put before Jesus who stood before him on trial for His life. The Jewish leaders at the time were calling for his execution. Pilate wanted to know their charges against Jesus that warranted the death penalty (John 18:29). Their first reply was that Jesus claimed to be the King of the Jews. So, Pilate asked Him if this was true (v. 33).

Jesus did not deny this claim but told Pilate that HIs kingdom was not of this world (v. 36). And then Jesus made this startling revelation that He came into this world “to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (v. 37).

At the beginning of this month, our country will vote on a candidate to become our nation’s 47th president. This could be the most consequential election in our lifetime. For the past several months we have been hearing a lot about the two candidates and their policies or lack thereof. We’ve been bombarded with lies and half-truths. So, who are we to believe? What is the truth?

To answer that question, let me first ask another question, “Who have you been listening to?” Perhaps it is time to turn off your TV, shutdown your internet, and open your Bible!

I invite you to begin by reading 2 John (it’s only 13 verses long, but there is a lot there about truth and love). We need to admit that a lot of evil has crept into our culture – our schools, our media, our government, and even in our churches! What are we doing about it? I believe it is time for us as followers of Jesus to speak the truth in love.

Though we are not of this world, for we belong to another kingdom, we are still in this world. As Jesus said in His prayer to the Father, “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:15-17).

Therefore, we need to speak God’s truth about human life and of God’s salvation in Christ alone. We need to speak not only in the church but also where we live, work, shop and play. Wherever we come in contact with others, there are hurting people in our world, but only the truth about God as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer will bring them true and lasting healing. We can no longer minister to people just through our actions. We must minister in word as well as in deeds. As Peter tells us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do so with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).”

This holiday season remember Jesus came to reveal God’s truth and everyone on the side of truth listens to Him. To God be the Glory!

By Rev. Rich Pollock, Worship Committee Chair