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Being of the Truth
| Joh 18:37 Pilate
therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou
sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause
came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Jesus describes to Pilate a precondition people need to have to be able
to respond. One might see in a response to the words of Jesus a
resonance where one is almost compelled to trust in the truth one
perceives. This is similar to the trust people can place in that which
they hear that makes them feel good. Flattery, seeing an opportunity to
get rich, or getting drunk are all ways that influence (resonate)
someone with that which is not truth.
There was a poster once that said, “The truth shall make you free...
But first it will make you miserable”. This captures a little of the
contrast between truth and feeling. Truth requires one to resist the
pull of the flesh to pursue self-indulgences and sensations that can be
appealing. Being of the truth is more than simply acknowledging
reality. It is valuing it in spite of any negative feelings it might
cause.
People can come to value truth as a result of bitter experiences. Some
can even see in truth that which can help one to avoid bitter
experiences. There was a movie once that asserted that passion was the
enemy of precision. One might see how emotions can blind one to truth.
Lust, ambition, greed, and anger can blind one to truth as well as make
one vulnerable to deception. Once we can see past our emotions, we
might be able to take an honest (truthful) look at ourselves.
It is easier to honestly see what is wrong with the world and others.
To see what is wrong in ourselves takes a desire for truth that is
courageous. We are all born helpless, ignorant, and selfish. We often
do not improve on this initial state as much as we would like. Perhaps
the most difficult thing to see in ourselves is that which can never be
improved upon. Our selfish nature can be minimized and even restrained,
but it is always there. Truth can only bring one to humility.
When one is presented with the gospel that Jesus died was buried, and
rose again to pay for our sins, those who are of the truth hear
something they recognize as truth and can trust in. It is this trust
that is faith and allows one to become a Christian. the person seeking
after truth may not be satisfied with something like a ticket to
heaven. Often a thirst for truth drives one to question, dig deeper,
and resolve inconsistencies. A truth seeker would be curious as to how
Christianity is supposed to fit into present life.
A person seeking truth may encounter difficultly with those who claim
it as an exclusive domain. Since Christianity is presented in so many
different and often confusing packages and brands, those of the truth
either have to remain unsatisfied or dig for a nugget or more of deeper
truth in unusual areas. The Internet has been useful in this as there
are all sorts of places one can find information. However, one has to
be skillful in quickly identifying that which is not truth.
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them
that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they
might be saved.
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