Absolute Truth - Lift Up My Eyes

When Jesus stood before Pilate a dialogue between the two ensued. Pilate was trying to determine just who Jesus was, asking several questions. What Jesus replied was probably gibberish to Pilate. His final words to Pilate were “I have come into this world to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:37. This likely set Pilate’s mind spinning, trying to make sense of Jesus’ responses. Pilate’s reply, in the form of a question has been asked repeatedly through the years “What is truth?”

In John 8:32 Jesus spoke “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus is the Truth. Jesus came to testify about Himself. In responding to Pilate, note that Jesus elaborated that those who listen to him have the Truth.

What is Truth? The Merriam Webster dictionary defines truth as “the body of real things, events, and facts.” An actuality, a reality, a fact. At first glance, truth would seem to be an easy concept. But those with different world views might have created their own realities. As a former college professor, I am painfully aware that many students do not have a grasp on their realities. They have created for themselves a world lacking in reality. I once had a student who failed my class. He took it again and brought his grade up to a “D”. Since this was a required class for his major, that grade was not enough. He came to me, informing me that his inability to get a “C” was not a reflection on him, but it was due to my incompetence as an instructor and I had ruined his life. Reality check time.

Truth comes in two forms. There is relative truth and there is absolute truth. Relative truth is often reflected in the statement that “that may be true for you, but not for me. I have a different truth.” This is a contradiction. If something is true it is factual and indisputable. Relative truth rejects absolute truth.

Relative Truth allows people to create their own reality and the freedom to do whatever they want. People listen to those who will tell them what they want to hear. Of course, this is not a new problem. In 2 Timothy 4:2-4, Paul exhorted Timothy to preach the truth, adding that “the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” Sounds like Paul may have been writing to us today. If there is no absolute truth, there are no standards.

Absolute Truth is true regardless of how someone thinks or feels about it. The Bible is God’s Word. It is the absolute truth. It tells us that everyone will acknowledge Jesus as Lord. For some, that acknowledgement may come too late. In Isaiah 45: 23 (and quoted by Paul in Romans 14:11) God says “The word has gone out from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.”

There are three characteristics of truth.

Truth is Unchanging. Our perceptions may change as we gain new information, but the truth does not change. For example, at one time we were taught that an atom was the smallest unit of matter. That was given out as a scientific fact, a truth. Then scientists discovered that there are subatomic particles – quarks and leptons. It is currently taught that they are the smallest known building blocks of matter. The truth did not change. We have always had quarks and leptons from the day of creation. Our knowledge is what changed.

Truth is Objective. Merriam-Webster defines objective as “not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts. In today’s society we have difficulty with this term. The same truth applies to everyone. Romans 3:23 reads “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No exceptions. Everyone of us is a sinner. Romans 12:11 makes this abundantly clear “For there is no respect of persons with God” Everyone stands before God and is judged by the same standard. “Did you accept Jesus’ forgiveness for your sins? Yes or no?”

Truth Endures. We could say that truth stands the test of time. When all is said and done, the Truth of God will be standing, victorious in the end. Satan has been vanquished, along with all who did not know Christ. All the lies of mankind will fall by the wayside. All that is left will be Truth.

One Way. Jesus made it clear in John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” An absolute truth. The only way. We must guard against arrogance or being judgemental. We aren’t better than anyone else. We are saved by God’s grace and there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. Our task is not to look down on those who have not received His grace but help them discover the same salvation we have obtained. Unlike what many proclaim today, this is the only road to salvation. Being a “good person” isn’t enough. In the end, where will you be found?

_______________

To learn more about a new life in Christ, and know absolute truth, click here.

All scripture unless otherwise indicated is from the New American Standard Bible.

Photo credits to geralt on Pixabay and Christian Photoshops.