By David M. Ephraim
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. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. (John 18:37, 38)
What is truth? Pilate was impressed with Jesus’ words and would have listened to further instruction, but the mob outside was clamoring for a decision, and Pilate did not pause for an answer, and so passed by a golden opportunity. (see on Matt. 27:24).[1]
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
The American Heritage dictionary defines truth as:
truth (tr¡th) noun
1. Conformity to fact or actuality.
2. A statement proven to be or accepted as true.
3. Sincerity; integrity.
4. Fidelity to an original or a standard.
5. Reality; actuality.
6. Truth. Christian Science.[2]
Truth. In its basic meaning truth is that which corresponds to fact. Scriptures frequently, uses the word in a wider sense to denote what is true in things pertaining to God and the duties of man, or in a more restricted sense the facts taught in the Christian religion concerning God and the execution of His purposes through Christ. This revelation had been given by Jesus; “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (ch. 1:17). He, in fact. was “the truth” (ch. 14:6). He was “full of grace and truth” (ch. 1:14). These facts concerning the Christian religion are revealed also by the Spirit, who Himself is truth (1 John 5:6; cf. John 14:17, 26), and by the Word (John 17:17). See on ch. 1:14.[3] (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary)
- God Is Truth (Ps. 31:5; Jer. 10:10)
Psalm 31:5 “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.”
Jeremiah 10:10 “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king…”
Example:
God comes to me and says, “David walk this way.” So I begin to walk. However, as I travel down the road I run into all sorts of obstacles, and everything seems to be going wrong. When I ask for advice from those who love me, and profess to be followers of God, they say, “change what you’re doing.”
The question is, “Do I continue to walk in the ways that is filled with obstacles, or do I take the advice of those individuals.”
If God is truth, I continue to walk regardless of the obstacles. Because in His Word He has promised to deliver me safely through the obstacles, rather than from them.
So now I begin to understand that God, His Word is truth. So even if I don’t understand what is happening, because He is truth, I move as He leads.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
Grace and truth. These divine attributes were inherent in the system of revealed religion in OT times. When Moses wanted to see God, God put him in the cleft of the rock and passed by. “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” But these attributes, for practical purposes, had been lost under a thick layer of human tradition. The contrast between “law” and “grace” is not so much a contrast between the system of religion in OT times, which looked forward to a coming Messiah, and that revealed by Christ (cf. Heb. 1:1, 2), as between the perverted interpretation placed upon the revealed grace and truth of God by the official exponents of the law, the rabbis (cf. Rom. 6:14, 15; Gal. 5:4), and the truth as revealed through Jesus Christ.
By Jesus Christ. It was Christ who had spoken through Moses and the prophets (1 Peter 1:9-11). Now He appeared in person to reaffirm the great eternal truths revealed to these holy men of old, and to restore them to their original luster, untarnished by human tradition (see on Matt. 5:17–19). He came to reveal the Father in His true character (cf. Ex. 34:6, 7), to prevail upon men to practice justice and mercy and to be humble before God (Micah 6:6–8). He who “spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets” now spoke to men through His own Son (Heb. 1:1, 2).
The eternal “Word” has become incarnate, a man among men, and John henceforth speaks of Him as such.[4]
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15)
The church of redeemed men and women, actively engaged in the program of restoring in man “the image of his Maker” (see Ed 15), is a prime exhibit of the supreme sufficiency of the “truth.” It is not enough merely to assent to the principles of truth; they must be fully reflected in the life (see on John 8:32).[5]
Where does Truth reside?
“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:21)
Doeth truth. That is, the earnest longing for the principles of truth to become more fully operative in his life. With Paul, such a person acknowledges that in himself “dwelleth no good thing” (Rom. 7:18), and that credit for a victorious life belongs to God, who has made it possible through Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:1–4; 1 Cor. 15:57; Gal. 2:20). See on Matt. 5:48.[6]
“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26, 27)
But the Holy Spirit only comes to those who obey: “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” Acts 5:32
Sanctify. Gr. hagiazoµ, literally, “to treat as holy,” “to consecrate,” “to make holy.” The disciples were to be consecrated to their task. Holiness is one of the attributes of God (1 Peter 1:16). Hence to be made holy is to become like God. This work the plan of salvation was designed to accomplish (2 Peter 1:4; Ed 125).
Through thy truth. The Word of God is declared to be “truth”. The Scriptures reveal to us the character of God and of Jesus Christ. We become new creatures by making the truths of the Word of God a part of the life.[7]
Through sanctification of the Spirit. Or, “in sanctification of spirit.” It is recognized, however, that all true sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit (cf. on 1 Peter 1:2). Such sanctification, together with “belief of the truth,” is the means through which salvation is effected in the believer’s life.
Belief of the truth. This stands in striking opposition to belief of, literally, “the lie” (v. 11), which results from falling victim to the deceptions of Antichrist.[8]
“So falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.” (1 Cor 14:25)
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23)
True worshippers. That is, those whose worship is of the heart, rather than worship consisting essentially of ritual forms conducted at some particular place.
In spirit and in truth. That is, in all sincerity, with the highest faculties of the mind and emotions, applying the principles of truth to the heart (see on Matt. 5:3, 48; 7:21–27; Mark 7:6–9). This is genuine worship, Jesus says; all else is false. The same distinction here made between true worship and the forms of worship is clearly stated by the prophet Micah (ch. 6:7, 8).
The Father seeketh. The Father is not a far-off deity, unconcerned with His children, but is interested in them individually (see Isa. 57:15). He not only accepts “true worshippers” but anxiously “seeketh” those willing to worship Him “in spirit and in truth,” and encourages them to come to Him (see Eze. 18:31, 32; John 3:16; Acts 17:24–31; 2 Peter 3:9). Salvation is not the result of men’s feeble efforts at seeking out an indifferent God, but of the unwearied efforts of a heavenly Father who, with solicitous compassion, seeks for His lost children (see on Matt. 18:12–14; John 10:1–21). John repeatedly emphasizes this truth (see John 3:16; 6:44; 15:16; 1 John 4:10). Compare the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son (Luke 15:1–32).[9]
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Eph. 6:14)
Stand therefore. The order in which the pieces of armor are given is probably the order in which a Roman soldier would put them on; thus there is a logical sequence of ideas. The metaphor is a magnificent climax to one of the most profound writings ever penned.
Girt about. The girdle about the loins held together the soldier’s garments that might otherwise hamper his movements.
Truth. That is, truth in the abstract, as indicated by the absence of the article in the Greek. The truth spoken of here is more than personal honesty; it is the truth of God as it is lodged in the heart, appropriated, and acted upon. Compare a similar sense of the word in 1 Cor. 5:8; 2 Cor. 7:14; 11:10; Phil. 1:18, and previously in this epistle in ch. 5:9. It was the Pharisees’ insincerity that brought down Jesus’ denunciation upon them (Matt. 23). If truth and integrity, both intellectual and moral, do not prevail in the field of religion, where will they prevail?[10]
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. (1 Cor. 13:6)
Truth. Here “truth” stands in contrast with “iniquity” and means virtue, righteousness, goodness. Love finds pleasure, not in the vices, but in the virtues, of others. Love is interested in the advancement of truth and the happiness of man; therefore it is thankful whenever the cause of truth is sustained (see Mark 9:35–40; Phil. 1:14–18).
Love cannot find happiness in sin of any kind or in the punishment meted out to the sinner; rather, it finds pleasure in the liberation of man from the shackles of sin, because such liberation brings him into harmony with truth and makes him a candidate for the happiness of heaven, for which he was created (see Eze. 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 8:32; 17:17; 1 John 4:8; COL 290).[11]
“For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.”
Truth. See on John 1:14; 8:32. No more exacting requirement is made of the minister than the proclamation of truth without diminishing from, or adding to, it. To be the embodiment of truth, in life, in word, in deed, constitutes the ultimate test of genuineness. God is truth (Ps. 31:5; Jer. 10:10), and truth is eternal as God is eternal (Ps. 100:5; 146:6). Christ incarnate was the full and perfect revelation of truth (John 14:6). Truth must be sought for diligently and made a means of regeneration (James 1:18) and sanctification (John 17:17), and a pattern for daily conduct (3 John 3, 4). Truth is of little value when entertained as an intellectual concept only (John 3:21; 1 John 1:6), for the wholehearted acceptance of truth means complete obedience to all of God’s revealed will. The possession and practice of truth is the mark of a true Christian (see on Matt. 7:21–27).[12]
When a person moves away from God’s truth he is left alone in his own truth. This truth leads to dead. Scripture says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Pro. 16:25.
What Truth do you have? God’s or Man’s!
We must understand, that if we don’t accept God’s truth, we will be left “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,” (2 Timothy 3:7) because God is TRUTH.
“The religious dabblers of today as in days of old, (v. 6) possess only scraps of truth mixed with various errors; they do not see truth as a whole. Every new religious fad or sensation captivates them.”
25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. (Rom 1:25, 26)
A lie. Compare Jer. 10:14. Idols are embodied lies. Man must make them, yet they are supposed to represent Him who made man (Isa. 40:18–20). They have eyes, but cannot see; they have mouths, but cannot speak (Ps. 115:5–7; 135:15–17).[13]
The Bible says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Tim. 4:3, 4).
- “Avoiding profane and vain babblings. That is, turning away from secular, empty talk. One way to preserve the purity and power of the gospel is to shun trivial subjects and to use one’s time for teaching truth, not for discussing irrelevancies. Paul thus ends his letter by summarizing the theme begun in ch. 1:3–7.”[14]
- “Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” (Eze. 22:26)
Rightly dividing. Literally, “cutting straight.” The truths of the Bible must be rightly interpreted so that no part of the Scriptures will be set in opposition to the picture presented by the Bible as a whole. Each passage of Scripture must be given its true meaning even as every brick in the wall of a building must be in its proper place, or the whole wall suffers...To cut the Bible straight suggests that every phase of truth must receive its proper emphasis.[15]
- “Hymenaeus and Philetus where delivered over to Satan because they err in their presentation of the truth.” (1 Tim. 1:20)
- Church expulsion or disfellowship was result of rejecting truth. (1 Cor. 5:5)
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Tim. 6:3-5).
Perverse disputings. Or, “constant irritations.” Paul notes further results of unsound religious teaching. Fellowship is exchanged for constant bickering and irritation.
Corrupt minds. The basic problem of intransigent teachers of irrelevant and unsound doctrine lies in their personal attitude to truth. They have bent their minds to defend their personal positions because their own conceit convinces them that they could not possibly err. The Jewish leaders who refused the words of Christ set their minds to support tradition, not to encourage truth wherever found (see John 8:45).
…Because these teachers have dedicated themselves to preserve traditional errors, the spirit of truth does not prevail as it once did when they joined the Christian church. They have ceased to advance. Yet they remain in the church, opposing all who would help them.
Gain is godliness. In all ages there have been men who equated material possessions with spiritual health. However, the example of our Lord and the disciples should remove all thought that those most righteous are necessarily also the most prosperous in worldly possessions. The experience of Job illustrates the insecurity of worldly possessions. The best men do not necessarily own the most property. Most often, those who have dedicated life and means to the cause of God retain only the minimum for material needs, all else being diverted into the channels of Christian service.
We may look at this verse, as referring to religious workers whose chief thought is compensation for their services, and who look upon religion as a means for securing a comfortable income. They serve by the hour and not by the necessities that demand a church worker’s time day or night. In part, this earthy perspective of Christian service accounts for the traits of false religious teachers listed in vs. 4, 5.[16]
On Sunday I was in a church in Mt. Vernon teaching them how to operate their video equipment. I was surprised to see how much collections they had. Seeing that they had a large congregation, afterward their service I spoke to the minister, who is a good friend of mind about how they used their funds. His response was basically empty, and self-elevating. The money was seen as a reward for this being his church.
I asked why they didn’t use some of the money to plant another church rather than continuing to expand the same one. I told him about the structure of my church and how we support our ministers and how most of the money we collected when to expanding the gospel into the entire world. But he seemed more interested in growing his financial positions. He excused himself by telling me, “I belonged to a denomination and he was independent. Let the denominations build the churches. That wasn’t his job.”
But we must understand that Truth leads to Godliness. Scripture says, “According to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness.” (Titus 1:1). But I walk into the churches of the world, and they are preaching about wealth, riches, looking good, and jobs while the church is filled with corruption of every kind. There is drunkard ness, reveling, lying, fornicating, thief, envy, strife, sedition and the response from the minister is, judge not. But the text says, “after godliness.” And Scriptures goes on to say in Gal. 5:21, “That they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
While these men speak lies, Scriptures says our, “God that cannot lie.” (Titus 1:2)
Friends, the Word of God is our only sure foundation. It tells us that, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” (1 John 1:6).
- We can only walk with God in truth.
- We are only His true worshipers if we worship in “Spirit and in Truth.”
Let us not deceive ourselves, for God will not be mocked. Whatsoever we sow we will reap. Whether we sow unto the flesh and dishonesty or unto the Spirit of Truth unto everlasting life. (see on Gal. 6:7, 8)
What Truth do you have today? Will you follow God’s and His Word? Walk with the Lord in Spirit and Truth.
[1] Nichol, Francis D., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, CD-ROM, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association) 1978.
[2]The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from InfoSoft International, Inc. All rights reserved.
[3] Nichol, Francis D., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, CD-ROM, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association) 1978.
[4] Ibid.
[5]Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.