What Is Truth?
(by Bob Pulliam)
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N early two thousand years ago Pontius Pilate asked a question that man today would do well to examine. He asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). No doubt Pilate was feeling as many of us do at times, as we try to determine the correct course. It is tempting to throw up our hands and say that there is no right or wrong in a matter; but we must always keep in mind that this is one of Satan’s evil devices.
The church is a subject about which God has spoken very plainly. There are two basic approaches to a study of such matters. 1) Who’s right and who’s wrong on the subject. Beginning a study with such an approach guarantees failure. Remember, we want to know what the truth is on a matter. Who is right or wrong really has no bearing on the subject. After all, we could all be wrong! 2) What does God say about the subject. here is the “open-hearted” approach. It says, “I need to know what God wants, so I can please Him.” History is filled with examples of people who were following the wrong course, yet changed to please God. And that’s what life is all about: pleasing God.
The apostle Paul once persecuted the church, and regarded the way of Christ as heresy. He was sincere in what he taught and practiced (Acts 23:1), but sincerity is never enough (note Mt 7:21ff). The King all glorious expects us to obey Him (Jn 14:15; Rev 22:14). We must abide in His word so that we may be disciples, and be made free (Jn 8:31f). Paul was willing to do that, even though it would bring persecution and hardship on him (II Cor 11:23-27). What happened to bring about this great change? Note it, and remember it: He Learned the truth! (Acts 22:6- 16). But not only did he learn it... he obeyed it!
Another example for our consideration is Cornelius in Acts 10. The apostle Peter makes an interesting observation as he retells the account of the Gentile’s conversion. In Acts 11:14 he tells of an angel’s command to Cornelius to send for Peter. The angel said, he “will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved”. Now this tells me that Cornelius was not saved at that particular time. It also tells me that salvation in some way resides in the message of the gospel. The “words” of the gospel are the truth of God. No wonder Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...” (Romans 1:16). Paul said it is the “power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” Later Paul wrote, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17). The word of God is where truth is found, and obedience to the truth is the means by which we please God, and so we find ourselves right back where we started.
There is no way of escaping our responsibility to truth. We will either succumb to it in this life, or reject it and suffer eternally after this life is over. You may think your error slight, or even acceptable; but God demands obedience from those who would call themselves His children (Lev 10:1-2; II Sam 6:2-7; II Kgs 5:1-14; Jn 14:15; II Jn 9).
So many today want us to believe that God is so loving and merciful that he will overlook many of our sins. Better look again! God has never promised to overlook one single solitary sin that has not been washed in the blood of His lamb that was slain. He never promised to wash away one single solitary sin of which one has not repented (Lk 13:3). “God is love”. God is merciful. God is patient and kind. No one disputes this.. BUT... Other characteristics belong to God in addition to these! “God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). He is intolerant of disobedience, even if it is a basically religious fellow (Mt 7:21-23). God is righteous (Rom 3:21-26), meaning he cannot tolerate that which is error.
So many have deluded themselves into thinking they are right with God based on what they feel. Paul felt right before his conversion!...But was he really? Many have not opened their Bibles to see what God says, preferring to rely on another person’s faith... My plea is simply this: Open God’s word and study it for yourself! Are you what God wants you to be? (II Cor 13:5) The truth can only be determined by a study of God’s word.
N early two thousand years ago Pontius Pilate asked a question that man today would do well to examine. He asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). No doubt Pilate was feeling as many of us do at times, as we try to determine the correct course. It is tempting to throw up our hands and say that there is no right or wrong in a matter; but we must always keep in mind that this is one of Satan’s evil devices.
The church is a subject about which God has spoken very plainly. There are two basic approaches to a study of such matters. 1) Who’s right and who’s wrong on the subject. Beginning a study with such an approach guarantees failure. Remember, we want to know what the truth is on a matter. Who is right or wrong really has no bearing on the subject. After all, we could all be wrong! 2) What does God say about the subject. here is the “open-hearted” approach. It says, “I need to know what God wants, so I can please Him.” History is filled with examples of people who were following the wrong course, yet changed to please God. And that’s what life is all about: pleasing God.
The apostle Paul once persecuted the church, and regarded the way of Christ as heresy. He was sincere in what he taught and practiced (Acts 23:1), but sincerity is never enough (note Mt 7:21ff). The King all glorious expects us to obey Him (Jn 14:15; Rev 22:14). We must abide in His word so that we may be disciples, and be made free (Jn 8:31f). Paul was willing to do that, even though it would bring persecution and hardship on him (II Cor 11:23-27). What happened to bring about this great change? Note it, and remember it: He Learned the truth! (Acts 22:6- 16). But not only did he learn it... he obeyed it!
Another example for our consideration is Cornelius in Acts 10. The apostle Peter makes an interesting observation as he retells the account of the Gentile’s conversion. In Acts 11:14 he tells of an angel’s command to Cornelius to send for Peter. The angel said, he “will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved”. Now this tells me that Cornelius was not saved at that particular time. It also tells me that salvation in some way resides in the message of the gospel. The “words” of the gospel are the truth of God. No wonder Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...” (Romans 1:16). Paul said it is the “power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” Later Paul wrote, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17). The word of God is where truth is found, and obedience to the truth is the means by which we please God, and so we find ourselves right back where we started.
There is no way of escaping our responsibility to truth. We will either succumb to it in this life, or reject it and suffer eternally after this life is over. You may think your error slight, or even acceptable; but God demands obedience from those who would call themselves His children (Lev 10:1-2; II Sam 6:2-7; II Kgs 5:1-14; Jn 14:15; II Jn 9).
So many today want us to believe that God is so loving and merciful that he will overlook many of our sins. Better look again! God has never promised to overlook one single solitary sin that has not been washed in the blood of His lamb that was slain. He never promised to wash away one single solitary sin of which one has not repented (Lk 13:3). “God is love”. God is merciful. God is patient and kind. No one disputes this.. BUT... Other characteristics belong to God in addition to these! “God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). He is intolerant of disobedience, even if it is a basically religious fellow (Mt 7:21-23). God is righteous (Rom 3:21-26), meaning he cannot tolerate that which is error.
So many have deluded themselves into thinking they are right with God based on what they feel. Paul felt right before his conversion!...But was he really? Many have not opened their Bibles to see what God says, preferring to rely on another person’s faith... My plea is simply this: Open God’s word and study it for yourself! Are you what God wants you to be? (II Cor 13:5) The truth can only be determined by a study of God’s word.