Do we believe God: What is truth?

Hello To All:

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."

The above quote, from Jesus, recorded at John 5:39, has recently captured my attention, in a way, that I had not previously considered.  It is now clear to me, that Jesus is speaking of two approaches to His word.  I say His word, because at John 8:31-32, we have these words, of Jesus, recorded:

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Thus, we should rightly conclude, on the basis of the John 8 text and the John 5 text, that the entire Bible is the word of Jesus; and that the entire Bible testifies of Jesus. But Jesus also tells us, that there are some who come to His word, with a different approach: they "search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life."  We can "search the scriptures," for all of the information, regarding "eternal life;" and do this without seeing and understanding the fullness of the testimony regarding Jesus Christ.

The first group focuses on eternal life.  The second group focuses on Jesus.  The first group is self centered.  The second group is centered on Jesus.  The first group may or may not have eternal life.  The second group does have eternal life.  The first group, even those who have eternal life, will not have victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ.  The second group, is the only group, that has the potential for: Victorious Discipleship in Jesus Christ.

Now, some of you are asking yourselves - what does all of this have to do with the question: Do we believe God?  The last essay, for this blog, ended by stating that our next essay would ask the question: Do we believe God?  I have been applying a lot of prayerful thought, consideration and study to this very question. For many of us, the answer is not going to be well received.  If you look to the end of the last blog, you will be reminded, that it was written, that this question would be: "one more hard thing." Perhaps, it is the hardness of the thing, that has taken me so long to get to the writing of this essay.  That certainly is part of the reason; but a deeper reason, related to my own need for a deeper understanding of: "What is truth?"

When Jesus tells us, that His word, the Bible, the King's Book, testifies of Him; and when Jesus tells us that as His disciples, we will continue in His word and we shall know the truth; and the truth shall make us free: He is making an absolute connection between Himself, His word and Truth. Further, He is proclaiming to all, that apart from Himself - His word and the truth of it, cannot be rightly understood.  Are you getting this, my beloved.  If we do not see the importance of, and preeminence of Jesus Christ, in all things, then we will always fall short of the victory that we seek.

When Jesus stood before Pilate, Pilate asked the question (John 18:38): "What is truth?"  Just prior to Pilate's question, we find written (verse 37): "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then: Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king.  To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.  Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."

"Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."  This is the statement that prompted Pilate to ask the question: "What is truth?"  Are we "of the truth?" Do we hear His voice?  Or, are we like Pilate, who failed to understand that the truth and Jesus are one and the same reality?

Earlier at John 14:6, Jesus proclaimed these words, for all of the creation and for all of time: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  Jesus is truth; and truth cannot be rightly understood apart from Jesus. Can we say thank you Jesus?

The guiding principal for my personal approach, to the King's Book, is this: God says what He means; and God means what He says.  Thus, when we rightly understand, that Jesus is the truth; and, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God: then we must also state, that Jesus says what He means; and Jesus means what He says.

In conclusion then - in answer to the question: What is truth? - We must ask ourselves:  How does the certain knowledge, that Jesus Christ is the truth, work itself out in our daily lives?  Let the following be offered up for our consideration, as an answer, to the application of truth in our daily walk with Jesus:

1. Truth is the revelation of knowledge that testifies of Jesus Christ.
2. Apart from Jesus Christ, a right understanding of truth cannot be obtained.
3. Apart from Jesus Christ - we can have knowledge - but, it will be knowledge without right understanding.

When next we gather, we shall continue in our efforts to answer the question: Do we believe God?

Until next time my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus