What is Truth?
ByIn a recent post we considered Pontius Pilate’s proclamation, “Behold the Man.” Today we consider another utterance of this somewhat sad figure of history.
Hauled unjustly before the then governor of Judea, Pilate, Jesus endeavored to explain that His Kingdom was not based upon earthly power, but on the Truth – and that whoever heard the Truth would hear His voice.
[caption id="attachment_816" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Jesus alone with Pontious Pilate"]
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To this, Pilate excused himself with the philosophical get-out-clause “What is truth?”, an excuse used by many today.
Ironically Pilate was standing in the very presence of Truth Himself.
At a fundamental level, Truth is not something subjective as some would like to believe. Something cannot be true for one and not for another. In reality something, or Someone in our case, is either true or they are not.
If we are “of the truth”, Jesus said, we will hear Him; the alternative is to ignore Him and thereby enter into deception.
In John 14:6 it is recorded that Jesus said, “I am the Truth”. Not that He told the truth, or merely understood the truth, but that He IS the Truth.
So primarily the Truth is a matter of relationship with the One who is True. Beyond this it is acceptance of the words He speaks. As He for His disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17
His Word has power to “sanctify” those who internalise it through deepening relationship with the One who spoke it.
To sanctify means to make holy or pure. But what is holiness? What is sanctification? According to the New Testament Scriptures it is not just keeping perfectly a set of religious rules. No man is made holy by the law, as Paul so eloquently argued in Romans and Galatians, but through faith in Christ Himself.
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:4
Back to relationship!
Let me put this before you in conclusion; To be sanctified is to be set apart for His will, to be progressively prepared for His purpose. Not a purpose removed from the One who gives it, but intimately and actively engaged with Him. As a branch connected to the vine, so His Life and Truth must flow through us, setting us apart for purpose. Vital connection through prayer and faith is not an option, but our primary concern!
If we get that right, all else will fall into place.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.""]
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The Truth about IF.
‘If we get that right, all else will fall into place.’
So, IF or WHEN…?
When I excluded ‘IF’ from my vocabulary my life became a matter of time. When …?
For instance:
Religions are like political parties, are like countries. They all divide people. They all divide nations.
When it is and it was possible to open borders and live a peaceful life /at last no war in Europe for some time/ between 27 countries in the European Union, so it is possible with the rest of the world. It is only a matter of time, when?
When remaining 165 countries join the European Union, perhaps not under the same name, the world will become a peaceful place to dwell within for everyone.
The Berlin’s Wall was a dividing symbol of the divided nation. The Wall has collapsed. The nation reunited.
So one day, WHEN all the borders between countries collapse; eventually, THEN all the nations will unite as one family under One Creator.
In Peace Forever
Thanks so much for your comments. They are very well considered, and thought provoking. I agree with you that one day the world will be united under one banner and one ruler. The Scriptures talk clearly about this glorious day, when men will no longer learn war:
This will not be a manmade peace however, but a heaven sent Peace that will follow the return of Christ to the earth. Although this may sound far-fetched or fantastical, so did the idea of a Messiah, a healer and reconciler – yet He came and made atonement for men. As certain as the prophecies of His first coming (over 300) were fulfilled in detail. so it will be with the prophecies of His second coming.