“If you remain in my word,…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

These are Jesus’ words in response to the Pharisees who were challenging who he was and what he what he was saying. 

Truth, which is knowledge of God, his word and work, has divine power.  It demolishes lies, deception, and all manner of error.  Since truth is from God, it is eternal and never fades or dies, in contrast to lies and deception which may last for a while but are eventually discovered and proven false.   

Examples in our world today include such questions as when life begins, and what constitutes marriage.  If we discovered biological cells on another planet, the headlines would declare, “Life Exists on Another Planet!”  Yet, a human egg fertilized with a human sperm is not viewed as life for those advocating abortion.   

Genesis and all of nature declare that marriage is between a “male and female” who become one to be fruitful, increase in number, and fill the earth.  Yet, the wisdom of this world through our highest court says it is not. 

Is our culture exchanging the “truth of God for a lie,” as St. Paul exclaims in Romans 1:25?

History testifies to the power and lasting nature of truth. The Roman Empire oppressed and persecuted Christians for almost 300 years.  Yet historian Will Durant eloquently observes:

“There is no greater drama in human record than the sight of a few Christians, scorned or oppressed by a succession of emperors, bearing all trials with fierce tenacity, multiplying quietly, building order while their enemies generated chaos, fighting the sword with the word, brutality with hope, and at last defeating the strongest state that history has known.  Caesar and Christ had met in the arena, and Christ had won.” (Caesar and Christ, p. 652)

When Pilate was trying to determine who Jesus was and whether he was a king, Jesus said the reason he was born and came into the world was “to testify to the truth.  Everyone who belongs to the truth, listens to my voice.” (John 18:37) Pilate, like many of our leaders today, not recognizing the embodiment of truth standing right in front of him asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38)

Where do you seek truth for your life?