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Christianity was supposed to be about becoming like Jesus. |  |
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John 18:38a Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?
Pilate's rhetorical question is one of the most ironic in history considering he said it to He who is truth. Philosophers have argued well past the ability of anyone to be interested on the subject of truth. The problem is that we in our natural state are unable to recognize truth, disinterested in truth, and even hostile to truth should it be forced upon us. Consider how often the following is given us and we can see how little what is really true matters.
1. It never happened.
2. Those who say it happened are just being divisive.
3. It may have happened but it wasn't important.
4. If it happened, it was someone else who did it.
5. Those who say it happened have done worse themselves.
6. My friends wouldn't have done something like that.
7. I did slightly know those who did that.
8. I was forced to do it.
9. I might have done that once, but I have gone through rehab.
10. I don't remember that having happened.
11. Those who suggest that happened are just being divisive.
12. It never happened.
Most people consider whatever gets you what you want to be the same thing as truth. If I tell you its is my birthday and you give me a present, then it must be my birthday. Consider the thinking that goes, "Only a bad person would have said that, I am not a bad person, therefore I never said it". What most people consider truth is upon examination quite flexible.
Real truth is inflexible, absolute, unchanging, and permanent. This describes God, Jesus, and the Bible. We would have no interest in giving up the comforting delusions we have unless there was something inside of us thristing for truth. Jesus tells us that no one can come to him unless the Father draws him. This is because we are drawn to truth. Right before Pilate blew off Jesus with his "What is truth" comment, Jesus said that those who were of the truth would hear his voice.
Those who the Father draws hear the truth and it burns within us. Those who are not drawn hate the truth because it shows them for what they are.
John 3:19-20 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Most people are willing to hear the truth about others, but draw the line at having the truth about themselves revealed. Truth about others makes us cynical. Truth about ourselves makes us humble. If we do not seek truth even at the risk of discomfort, are we really "of the truth"?