Trial of Truth

The Trial of Truth

I once heard a story of a man who attended an exhibit of famous works of art.  Each piece was well-known and recognized as a masterpiece. The young man wandered from piece to piece exclaiming about its worthlessness, the artist’s lack of talent, etc.  Finally, an elderly lady approached him and said, “Young man, the art at this exhibit is not on trial. You are.”

Join me in a trial of truth…

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Coming to you with a basic belief that God is real, God cares about the affairs of humans, and His word is true, this scripture indeed implies that there is such a thing as truth. And, in discovering this truth, we can be free.  You may ask, free from what? I live in a free country, I have a free will, and nobody tells me what to do.

And therein lies the tale…

We are all born into the bondage of sin.  Though people have different struggles, manifestations of bondage can be seen in many different ways. We easily identify the slaves to drugs and alcohol or the bonds of gambling and illicit relationships.  However, sin manifests itself in everyone’s lives, and nobody is immune.  Some may struggle with tempers, others with overeating. Pride infects us all at some time or another. The point is, regardless of how you are affected by bondage, you are affected, and spiritual freedom through truth is a gift. Something to be desired and sought after with equal or greater intensity than our forefathers fought for liberty in America.

I know that perception is reality, so how you perceive things may cause you to have a different reality than I would, based on my perception. However, does perception really change truth? No. Our belief that we are not a slave to sin, and our perception that we answer to no one, does not change the reality.  Reality says that if we have committed sin, we are the servant of sin. (John 8: 34) By definition, a servant is someone bound to a life of servitude. Since we all have sinned (Romans 3:23), then we are all in bondage to sin and are all in need of freedom. And, only knowing truth can bring us this freedom.

So, you ask, what is truth?  John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” The word of God does, and always will, define truth.  Regardless of how we were raised, of what our religion has always taught us, or of what we believe, if it does not line up with God’s word in every area of our life, we are not following after truth.  When we look at something in God’s word and say, that is not for today. Or, that is not necessary for salvation. Even, my church has never taught me that. Then, we are essentially walking through God’s art gallery and declaring ourselves experts on His already-been-proven masterpieces.

Truth exists.

God’s word is Truth.

Truth is not on trial.

We are.

 

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