What. Is. Truth.
When Pontius Pilate is asking Jesus questions about his identity as a king, he simply asks, “What is truth?” (John 18)
As a Roman governor over the province of Judea, Pilate was stuck between an emperor who would not tolerate rival kings and Jewish religious leaders who claimed Jesus deserved death for calling himself God.
Pilate is in a no-win situation with Jesus, whom he says, “I find no basis for a charge against him.” In John 19 it describes Pilate as growing in fear. This faithless leader knew that killing an innocent man was wrong, but to appease the Jewish leaders who could make his life miserable, he sends Jesus to the cross to die.
This 1st century Roman governor is facing a crisis of what to believe. Everyone around him seems to have a different version of truth. Even his wife is warned in a divine dream that Jesus is innocent and sends Pilate a message as he is sitting on his judgement seat.
What can we believe in 2021?
In these days of 2021, the question, “what is truth,” keeps coming up. I don’t know what to believe about so many things in our world. Who do I trust when it comes to accurate news? It feels like there is so much sensationalism and propaganda in everything that I see and read these days, I find it’s harder and harder to trust what people say as true.
It gets me riled up when I feel like someone is stretching the truth to manipulate my opinion and actions. The lack of honor in our culture makes me physically ill. I have never doubted leaders, institutions and what others say more than I do today. It leaves one exasperated and wondering where the truth is hidden so we can go find it.
Then... I take a breath and realize that there is no lack of truth in my world with Jesus.
God the Father is called the God of Truth
"Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth." Psalm 31:5 (NIV)
This is the verse that Jesus is quoting as he is taking his last breath on the cross. This name of God is “El Emeth” – the source or all that is right, pure, faithful and true.
Jesus is the Truth and He sets us free
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NIV)
"To the Jews who had believed him, 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." John 8:31-32 (NIV)
The Holy Spirit is the Truth and guides you in finding the Truth
"the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:17 (NIV)
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." John 16:13 (NIV)
God is our source of truth in this world where it will be increasingly difficult to know if someone is honest in what they are telling you.
We must turn to the three primary ways we receive truth from God.
1. His written Word.
Jesus prays this in John 17:17 "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
We know from 2 Tim. 3:16-17 that all of the Bible is good and helpful for living. If you are going to make it in 2021 with your faith intact, you must be found standing on the Word of God. When all other foundations of your life are shaken, the Bible will be a firm foundation of truth for you to return to and build on.
Are you spending time in His Word?
Are you intimidated about where to start, so you don’t read at all?
Have you asked someone else for help?
Are you willing to humble yourself and get a friend to help you or read with you?
2. His spoken word to our Spirit.
"The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." John 6:63b (NIV)
"Words" as used here is the Greek word “Rhema” which appears 76 times in the New Testament. It represents the spoken word, or when a verse, a phrase or other statement is inspired by God and powerfully leads you to truth.
God will whisper to your heart or mind phrases, words, give you pictures, remind you of a Bible verse that is so appropriate for that moment – that is a Rhema word.
Are you spending time in silence where you can hear what God has to say?
Have you ever tried writing a letter to yourself as if you were dictating what God had to say to you? You might be surprised what will flow out onto the page if you pray and ask God to fill your mind with His thoughts about what is true about you. After you finish writing, check it to make sure there’s nothing in the letter that contradicts the Written Word of God. If you need help on this, ask a friend who has been walking with Jesus longer.
3. The confirmation of several other Jesus followers.
"Where there is no guidance, the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory." Proverbs 11:14 (NASB77)
Community seems more difficult than ever in this season, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t need it. You need the perspective and wisdom of others more today than ever before. The confusion of this world and noise we have to navigate through is ridiculous. We need a few people in our lives who are pointing us back to the truth. Without fellowship and sharing of soul matters, you will drift further and further from the truth. This world will wear down your resolve, and try to tear down your confidence and truth in the Lord and His absolute truth.
Who are you pursuing in relationship and looking to for wise counsel?
Are your wise counselors willing to tell you something you don’t want to hear?
Do your wise advisors hold to Biblical values or do they pick and choose?
Who will you make an effort today to connect with?
Choose Truth
You have a choice today to stand on the Word and Words of God or continue to be tossed by the waves of confusion of this world. Let’s stand on the truth that will never fade away (Isaiah 40:8). Let’s work diligently to allow His Word to shape us, guide us, set us free and help us make it through confusing days!
I look forward to seeing all of you who choose to worship with us in the Dome this Sunday at either 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. All safety precautions, masks, and social distancing apply.
You can also live stream our 11:00 a.m. service on Facebook and YouTube
If you missed last week's message from the series, "Lessons from Three Kings", Week 1: "Lesssons from Eli", click here.
Need encouragement? You can receive a word of encouragement each day. Text the word Encourage to 530.296.3689. You will be added to the list to receive an encouraging scripture or quote from me each day that is sent right to your phone.
Leaders (and potential leaders): you can also text Lead to 530.296.3689 to be on the list to receive a thought, quote, or a challenge from me daily (or most days) regarding leadership.
