What is TRUTH?

This was a question raised by Pontius Pilate, a fifth prefect or an administrative leader
serving under Roman Emperor Tiberius (John 18:38). So what is Truth? Even when we look
around us, we can see many leaders who do not know what truth is. Two reasons for this
could be, either they know the truth or they may think whatever they know is the truth.

There is a reason behind this question and we can see that in the verse John 18:37
Pilate, therefore, said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I
am a king. For this cause, I was born, and for this cause, I have come into the world, that I
should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Did we have the same question in our mind many times? We sometimes think that it would
have been good if knew the truth so that we would have avoided for these confusions. Let
us look into the word of God (Bible) which gives answers to all of our questions.

Let us read John 8:31. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My
word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free.

It is very interesting to read the answer of Jews in the next verse “They answered Him, “We
are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say,
‘You will be made free’?”

When we analyze the answer of Jews we can find that their answer is not true. They have
been foreigners and slaves in many other nations. They were slaves in Egypt for 430 years.
The time when the above conversation was happening they were under the Roman
Government. They were unable to comprehend that they were under the yoke of slavery for
many times. However, Jesus did not argue with them regarding slavery, because He
wanted to speak to them about the matter that is more serious. Let us read John 8: 34-36
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore, if the
Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

We are the same as these Jews many times in our life. We are a slave to many things in our lives
and its hard for us to accept. Can we examine ourselves if we are a slave to any character, which
does not go along with the word of God? Are we slave to anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
selfishness and many other things? Have we included them in the list of sin? As Jerry Bridges
says in his book, we do not accept these are sins. He calls them respectable sins.

So what is really the Truth? Let us see how Jesus Christ respond to the same question asked
by His disciple Apostle Thomas. Let us read John 14: 6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
If you want to know the way, then you should know the truth. Without knowing the truth,
you will not be able to find the way. What is that way? That is the way to eternity. Are we
searching for that way? Does your heart desire to know that way? That is why Jesus Christ is
saying with love, “I am the life”. To get this life, you must know the way, which is through
Jesus Christ is alone. Therefore, knowing Jesus Christ must be the most important aim and
ambition in our life. When Jesus Christ realized this truth, He prayed for His disciples
“Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is the truth.” When we live in this word, we need
sanctification every day. Sanctification is very important and a must for us in this present
time.

We read in John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God”. This verse talks about Jesus Christ. He is the Truth. Unless we are sanctified
through Jesus Christ, we are unable to reach the eternal kingdom. If Pilate had grasped about
this Truth, the whole situation would have changed. In today’s world, many did not
understand this truth and they are going behind many other things, which will lead
them to punishment. None of them are searching for this truth or not even taking a single
step to know this truth.

Let us examine ourselves. Are we able to love others wholeheartedly? As Apostle Paul wrote
in the epistle of Philippians, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”. Once we get the same mind and attitude, our way to eternal life is guaranteed. Even though Pilate
asked about the truth, he was unable to reach the eternal kingdom.
Let us take the opportunity of the period of grace and have the ambition to know the truth.
Let us not waste any more time and let us hold on to the truth and live accordingly. Let us
be free by this truth and stand in the presence of God without any blemish.

God bless you!

– Joice