Ray Ciervo Ministries

The truth of the matter is that truth matters. Forgive me for this "play on words," but I find that too many Christians are way too cavalier with their view of truth. I hear all kinds of definitions of truth like, "truth is kaleidoscopic" and "we each have a piece of the truth." Worse, I hear things like "No one can know the truth." My response to all that is to ask, "Is that true?"

Allow me to plant my flag on this hill: I believe truth is absolute, objective and knowable. There, I've said it. Now that the assertion is made, let me demonstrate the evidence.

In John 18:37 we read,

Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." (My emphasis)
Jesus asserts his purpose was to testify to the truth. Then he went on to say that everyone who is of the truth hears his voice. Certainly, John's Gospel has more references to the concept of truth than the other gospels. I believe the time of John's writing warranted his emphasis on the truth.

Christianity had traversed its regulated boundaries of Judaism and had begun to make an impact on the Roman world. Where it had once been considered a cult of Judaism, it was now contending with the Pagan religions of the Empire. The Roman world was relativistic and therefore pluralistic. Rome acquired many ‘gods' as they absorbed cities and societies into its empire. All the gods of these societies were welcomed as long as they lined up with emperor worship. As the conqueror, Rome could easily take this place. However, Christianity came singing a different song, proclaiming the one true God, a different Lord than Caesar, and a Savior.

We immediately learn two things from these verses. Jesus' discloses his purpose for being born was to testify to the truth and that there are sides. That is, there are some who are not "of the truth" and do not hear his voice.

John's Gospel has many other references to truth. Jesus told his disciples that after he is gone he would send the comforter who is the "Spirit of truth" (John 14:16,17) and he, the Spirit of truth, would guide the disciples into all truth. (John 16:13) For John to write these things repeatedly is to make the point . . . truth is important. In reality, that is an understatement; truth is essential. He also makes the point that truth is knowable. This is also emphasized in the verse, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) Of course, the condition of this assertion is to make your home in God's word.

Certainly, no one knows the truth as God does. His knowledge is infinite. However, Jesus asserts that if we abide in his word, we shall know the truth. There doesn't seem like there's any uncertainty here. Why Christians would accommodate a postmodern position on truth knowing what Jesus has said is troubling. Do they question what Jesus said? Do they question what he meant?

Another comment I hear regularly is that "truth is a person." The reference here is to the claims of Jesus being "the way, the truth and the life." Think for a moment. What did Jesus mean when he said, "I am the way?" The way to what? From the context we can ascertain he meant that he's the way to the Father. Is he the way everywhere? No, he was claiming that he is the way to the Father, or the way to eternal life.

When he stated, "I am the life," what was he claiming? Was he saying, I am all of life? He was claiming that he is the only life worth having as far as eternity is concerned and that eternal life is in him. In context when Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" he was not using that in an absolute fashion.

Why then would we consider he is "all of truth?" He is not the answer to every mathematical problem. Nor is he the definition of every word in every language. However, he is the truth concerning the promise of the Father, the seed of Abraham, and the fulfillment of every prophecy concerning the Messiah. Also, we can consider that Jesus is the bearer of the truth about salvation. The law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. This is not to trivialize the Lord's personhood or the substance of his being. He is the source of all truth. Only truth proceeds from his mouth. In him there is no darkness, no lies, and death cannot be found in him. He is light, truth, and life. That is the context of Jesus asserting, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

Yes, when we embrace Jesus we embrace the truth. Yet, truth is found in doctrine and certainly in God's word. "Your Word is Truth" exclaims the psalmist. (Psalm 119:160; cf. John 17:17) We are saved by obedience to the truth, (1 Peter 1:22). Some oppose the truth, (1 Tim 3:8); some turn away their ears from the truth and turn aside to myths, (1 Tim 4:4; Titus 1:14) some stray from the truth, (James 5:19).

So we come to ask, "What is truth?" Although there are several theories of truth, the classical definition of truth that comes down to us through the ages is, truth is that which corresponds to reality. Truth claims assert what is real, not imagined. That which is truth exists whether we know it or not, whether we believe it or not. Truth exists without us and in spite of our attempts to redefine it. This is the "concept" of truth. This is what Jesus is not. He is the "content" of truth.

The simple question is, does the Scripture comply with this? Some might ask, does this comply with Scripture. Either way the answer is a resounding YES! Thy word corresponds to that which is real, that which is. Jesus Christ is the truth about salvation.

Does Jesus Christ correspond to reality? Absolutely! And he came to testify to the truth and gave us the Spirit of truth to guide us into all truth. In Jesus' day it was common to begin a discourse by saying, "Verily, verily." Translation? Truly, truly. "What I am about to say corresponds to what is real."

Truth is essential for our faith because we do not have faith in faith, but faith in what is true. Essentials are those things that are non-negotiable. So it is with truth. Learn to value it, embrace it, and love it. Truth is knowable through our minds and hearts. We are to confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead. This is the way to salvation.

Seekers of truth find Jesus, if in fact this is what they desire. If all we're attempting to do is justify our lifestyle, our political position, or our religion, we won't find him. Truth is a master and we must let it master us. The truth sets us free when we abide in his word and come to know it.

The Spirit of truth guides us into truth. When we are "of the truth" we hear his voice because he only speaks the truth. God is the source of all truth and Jesus bears that truth to us today.