Let’s talk about truth for a minute. Our world is filled with contests for truth. One group pulls this way, the other that way, and both teams think they are absolutely right. Truth isn’t discovered by committee. It isn’t written by Judges. It’s not unlocked by leaders or mediated by executives. Truth is found in the person of Jesus Christ.
When I want to know if a certain decision is right or wrong, I want to know the truth. I don’t run to all the popular articles on the subject. I don’t want the first things I hear to be a bunch of varied opinions. When I want to know the truth, I go to the Word of God. What did Jesus say about this? I realize there are lots of things we deal with today that Jesus didn’t talk about. Most often the goal of Jesus’ words is to give a broad enough picture that we can interpret the truth in each, individual setting. For example, Jesus quotes Moses, “Do not murder.” And then He says, “I tell you everyone who is angry with his brother is liable to the same judgment as those who murder.” In other words, life is precious and a gift from God. Don’t be flippant with your life or the lives of those around you. That’s a big statement and it was intended to be so. He quotes Moses again, “Don’t commit adultery.” Then Jesus says, “I tell you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Big statement! The goal is to say that marriage is precious and protected. Don’t be flippant with your marriage or the ones around you.
The Christian should be able to keep truth and lies separate. When we talk about truth, we talk against lies. The world, on the other hand, looks at it more like this popular quote, “One man’s truth is another man’s lies.” Another quote says, “Truth is what you make it.” This wishy-washy understanding waters truth down to the level of opinion. There must be a strong way to live our lives and order society. Truth cannot be based on how I feel or what I think or what seems best in the moment. There must be overarching truths that govern our world (i.e. life and marriage are precious). Where and how do we find these? Ultimate or absolute truth can only be found in Jesus…and He’s not up for debate.
When Jesus’ friends were wrestling with worry about the future, He talked with them about Heaven. When they were overwhelmed by the current state of events, Jesus pointed beyond them, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled…in my Father’s house are many rooms.” He’s telling them this messed up world isn’t all there is. He says He will be going to prepare a place for them that is settled. There’s no chaos, no tension, no debate there. More anxiety: “How do we know where you are going?” Jesus confidently assures them that they know the way because they know Him. His words here are famous and have been repeated often all over the world since. Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If you know Jesus, you know Truth, you know the way to discover it and you know the life that comes from it. It’s all wrapped up in Jesus.
What do you think about that? That is what we call an exclusive claim. It puts Jesus in a category all by Himself. And it is a direct quote. No one put those words in Jesus’ mouth. If they are true, Jesus is not only the sole access to truth and life, He is the only access to God. I don’t see any other way to read those words, do you? If you do not believe these words of Jesus are true, which words of His are true? If you delete this statement, all of the rest erode pretty quickly. In other words, Jesus is either the gateway to truth, life and God OR He is a liar and nothing He said can be trusted. I think you know where I stand, but just in case there’s any confusion, I fully believe Jesus is everything He claims to be here and elsewhere. What about you?
If you believe Jesus is truth and that He speaks truth, then you have some very important decisions to make about your life. If He is truth, then anything you say contrary to Him is a lie. If you believe He is the way and source of eternal life, anything you do to point people in the opposite direction is a lie. Why does this matter today? In a world where AI can post and share, you and I must be grounded in truth. In a culture of keyboard warriors, we must be so careful to speak truth and not just opinion. If you want to talk about your favorite flavor ice cream, who cares. Post away! But when it comes to consequential matters, Christians must be towers of truth.
Believer, listen, think and respond with care. The world doesn’t care about your opinion. But it will care one day about the truth you and I have to share. Always point people to Jesus and make sure the Jesus you are talking about is the One we find in the Word, not the one(s) so many others are talking about.
