Knowing the Truth

Pastor Jose V. Velasco, Jr.

     To begin with let us read John 8:31-32: -  Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Jesus here is talking about truth. But what is truth? Generally, truth are the real facts about something or someone. There is scientific truth, psychological truth, political truth, religious/ethical truth, etc. Ignorance of truth could bring serious consequences. If the wrong medicine, for example, is administered to a patient the patient's condition could worsen or he may even die.

     Let us consider the truth Jesus mentions in our Bible text. He has in mind spiritual and moral truths. In the biblical context of Jesus' words printed above He explains who He was, His relation to His Father God, and His teachings (Jn. 8:23-32). He is saying that He is God's Son. And His words and God's words are identical. The New Testament also claims that Jesus is the exact semblance of God the Father. According to Paul, "He is the image of the invisible God," - - (Colossians 1:15). Jesus Himself said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (Jn. 14:9). We can summarize two categories of truth here: a) truth about God. If Jesus is the exact representation of God we can know from Him that God is loving, forgiving, holy and righteous. b) Another is the category of truth on right living. How should I live properly before God and others? Jesus discusses this considerably in His teachings. That is why He said that if we hold to His teachings we will know the truth, and the truth will free us- free us from error and its consequences.

      What is our basis and source of truth? God's words. Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" (Jn. 17:17). And as mentioned in our text above Jesus said that in holding to His teaching we will know the truth. Thus, we must eagerly learn God's words to know the truth.

     Ignorance and disobeying God's truth lead to much of human troubles. For example, the belief of the extremist terrorists that killing infidels, meaning people who do not belong to their religion, will bring them to heaven and be rewarded with virgin wives, is causing horrible miseries. Nowhere in the Bible, which Christians believe to be God's word, is this teaching taught. The deliberate violations of the Ten Commandments is bringing terribly distressing consequences in relationships. Knowing and living by God's truth is the way to a really fulfilled life.

Prayer: 

Lord God, may we know your truth and be empowered to live by it. Help us to spread it by proclaiming your words and enable us to be good models for it in our daily lives. In the name of Jesus who is the truth we pray. Amen.