Christian Living

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What Is Truth?

Jesus said to Thomas in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
In this statement He proclaims Himself to be the embodiment of Truth.

Later when Jesus was brought before Pilate for interrogation, there was an interesting exchange between them. Pilate asked, “Are you a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. To this end I was born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hears my voice.” John 18: 37,38 To this, Pilate disdainfully replied, “What is truth?” and walked away.

Since Christ lived His life in truth, maybe a satisfactory definition could be found if we examine the attributes of His life as He lived among us. He said, “…the words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63 So then truth consists of words of spirit and life. When He was asked questions, He answered in a straightforward manner with no quibbling or adjusting His words according to a particular audience. He spoke clearly, decisively, and except to the Pharisees and their ilk, He spoke kindly. This must be a characteristic of truth-speaking.

And Truth necessarily demands living it, which Jesus did. He began early, was obedient to His parents, growing in favor with God and man. He loved lowly and disenfranchised people, and spoke steady, honest words to truth-seekers (the rich young ruler didn’t cotton to it, but the Book says Jesus loved him anyway.) He wasn’t noisy; a bruised reed He did not break, and His voice was not heard in the streets. Truth, then, must behave quietly and speak softly, but with complete candor and honesty. No shading or adjusting words to a particular audience. He spoke appropriate words that addressed the situation in perfect openness—whether to Satan himself or to people of every stripe: the good, the bad and the in-between (probably most of us). Truth, then, must be confined to how things actually are (to the best of one’s ability to know); no embroidering or deleting to please listeners.

Truth is costly in terms of this world. It cost the dear Savior His life, and it may cost His followers dearly also. A safe definition of Truth would seem to be an emulation of Him to the best of human ability: to live lovingly, to speak accurately with no adjustments just to please human ears. Jesus spoke directly and clearly all the time. He spoke the truth. He lived the truth. He is the Truth. That may be the only answer we have, or need to have, to the question, What is truth?

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