By Pastor Jose V. Velasco, Jr.
This is a continuation of the “I AMS” of Jesus in John 14:6. In the trial of Jesus by Pilate, Pilate asked Jesus what the truth is. (Jn. 18:36-38).
The Bible does not necessarily define truth. But it identifies truth. We may simply define truth as reality or fact. There are Bible verses that identify truth. “—your law is truth”; “- -all your commandments are truth” (Ps. 119:142, 151 NKJV). “- - your word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). All these express the same thing: God’s will and thoughts. These comprise the truth. All things contrary to truth is error, fallacy and ungodliness.
What are some functions of the truth? 1) Liberates us from errors and ignorance. “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (Jn. 8:32). 2) Sanctifies our lives. “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). If we take God’s truth seriously, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, we are made saintly or holy in character like God. 3) Guide us in our daily lives. “Send us your light and your truth, let them guide me” (Ps. 43:3). Hence, we will not get lost. 4) The truth purifies us if we obey it. “Now- - you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth- - “ (1 Peter 1:22). By applying the truth in our lives, through the power of the Holy Spirit, it purges us. This complements sanctification which is becoming more like God in holy character. Purification is cleansing from things that are ungodly.
In our Bible text Jesus claims to be the truth. Jesus said to Pilate during His trial, “In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth” (Jn. 18:37b). Like the other two entities in this I AM, (way and life) it should be interesting to note that He uses the article the implying being unique and unequalled. In His life and teachings Jesus embodied God’s truth. To know God’s truth you must know Jesus Christ. He came to reveal God’s truth, not through a book or abstract lectures, but through a tangible human life and down-to-earth words. His truth is absolute, meaning there is no error and lie in Him. In this case He should be the main point of reference of all truth. Revelation is not limited to the Bible or Jesus Christ. God reveals His truth through nature, dreams, visions, experience, inner impressions, etc. But all revelations must be tested by the truth we can know in Jesus Christ. Otherwise, everybody can claim his/her own truth. This could lead to theological anarchy and trouble like the ISIS and other terrorists claiming their own truth.
In Jesus Christ all has an access to God’s truth. But those who reject God’s truth shall be condemned. “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. - - and so all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” (2 Thess. 2:10b, 12). May we all open our lives to Jesus Christ that God’s light of truth may flood our hearts and souls?
