What is Truth?

I can’t recall all of the devotionals and Bible lessons that I participated in during High School, but a few do stick out. Our Youth Minister asked, “Is the Bible true for those who believe it is true, or is the Bible true?” We wrestled with it. We asked, “What is the difference?” and our Youth Minister really tried to bring home the fact that the Bible was true for everybody everywhere. The High School version of myself found that theology to be just a bit over my head, but I have found myself still wrestling with from time to time when it comes to my mind.

I do agree with my Youth Minister, the gospel is true for all, not just for Christians. Do I believe that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life? Yes. Do I believe that no one will get to the father except through Jesus? Yes. But it is still a valid question to ponder in today’s time. Those people who aren’t millennials may not understand, but my generation struggles with there being an overarching “truth”. People my age tend to think that their own truth is good for them and that someone else could have a different truth, but it doesn’t change mine. I honestly think that is why this generation is more accepting. We aren’t convinced that our own truth is true for everybody. We know too much and it confuses us. We millennials have infinite access to the world through a pop tart size super computer in our pocket.

Maybe Pilate would have been a great Millennial. He sure asks the right questions. John 18:38 says that Pilate asked this question of Jesus, “What is truth?” Like the world today, Roman soldiers had more knowledge than anyone who had ever gone before them. They traveled farther, had more access to different cultures, and thought they were pretty amazing for it.

He asks this question after  Jesus says, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37)

Pilate had been exposed to many wrongs. The Roman culture was full of lies created by the enemy. In today’s time, I have to work hard to discern the difference between right and wrong, but also between right and ALMOST right. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Satan hopes that we will lean on our own understanding. He hopes that we don’t use the light of truth to judge everything by. Jesus is saying, if you are on the side of truth you will listen to me. But that statement can be reversed too. If you listen to Jesus, you are on the side of truth.

In today’s world we have to be on the side of truth. Yes, The Truth. Jesus’ Truth that God loved the world so much that he sent his son to die for it. Anyone who believes in him will not die, but will live eternally.

Without Jesus’ truth - an unqualified standard, we have nothing to compare evil to. We become blinded without the authority of truth when everyone is regulated by their own principles.

This type of truth would have been crazy to a man like Pilate, and some days it is crazy to a woman like me, but this truth “sets us free” (John 8:32)  and when we walk in this truth, ordering our actions and decisions according to it, it makes a difference. It disarms the enemy’s influence and his impact on our lives.

“In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37

Holly Racca Middle School Youth Minister Southern Hills Church of Christ Abilene, TX