What is truth? This is a centuries old question. Every human on earth is on a quest to find truth. We spend our entire lives discerning truth from lies, honesty from deceit, and fiction from non-fiction. I firmly believe that since this quest is deeply imbedded in our souls, when we do find truth we will recognize it and embrace it as life’s richest treasure.
Just before the crucifiction of Christ, Pilate, the Prefect of Rome, made a similar inquiry into truth; “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. ” Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.” [John 18:37-38] It’s a shame Pilate didn’t stick around long enough to get the answer to his question.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” [ John 14:6] “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” [John 8:32] He also said “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” [John14:16-17] “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me.” [John 15:26] “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.” [John 16:13]
Oh so truth is a spirit, it is no wonder then, that it may seem elusive. Yet when we consider God’s love for us we realize His Spirit is not so elusive after all. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” [I Tim. 2:3-6]
So ” Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” [I John 5:5-7]
So therefore “I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me” [Psalm 119:30] “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.” [Psalm 100:5] “He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.” [Deut.32:4] “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” [Psalm 91:4] Therefore, “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth” [I Cor. 13:6]