Articles
The Truth
Many in modern society reject the concept of objective truth. People speak of my truth or your truth but seldom of the truth. In practicality, truth becomes simply whatever someone wants it to be.
The New Testament, in contrast, makes constant reference to the truth. And it puts the greatest premium on it.
Jesus told Pilate that He came into the world to testify to the truth (John 18:37). It was the truth He heard from the Father (John 8:40), and it was still the truth even when it was rejected (v. 45). Jesus told those who believed it, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31-32). The Apostle Paul made numerous references to the truth. Referring to the time of only partial revelation of it, he indicted the Gentiles with suppressing the truth they had and exchanging it for a lie (Romans 1:18-25), and the Jews of not practicing the truth God had entrusted to them (Romans 2:17-24). He said the gospel is the truth (Galatians 2:5, 14), through which we are recreated in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Salvation requires a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). But some have no love for it (2 Thessalonians 2:12), some turn away from it (2 Timothy 4:4), and some actively oppose it (2 Timothy 3:8). In contrast, the church is the pillar and support of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).
Peter reminds us that we were purified in obedience to the truth (1 Peter 1:22). It is vital that we continue to grow in it (2 Peter 1:5-12). Peter also cautioned against false teachers whose influence causes the way of the truth to be maligned (2 Peter 2:2).
James warned that one who strays from the truth is headed for death (James 5:19-20). The author of Hebrews put it this way: “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries” (10:26-27).
John emphasized the importance of living the truth. He called it walking in the truth (3 John 4). It is how we know we are of the truth (1 John 3:18-19). If we say that we have it but walk in darkness, we lie (1 John 1:6; 2:4). John depicts the truth as testifying about us (3 John 12). What will it say about you?
