Our Commitment To Truth Series

Our Commitment to Truth

Series: Cracks – Engaging Our Divided Times

?Brad Bailey – February 20, 2022

Intro

Continuing in our series focusing on navigating through our divided times. We are focusing on identifying some of the main issues which have been dividing both our culture at large...and within the Christian culture....and seeking to let God solidly some foundational understanding.

A few of us may recall the 1994 earthquake here in Los Angeles... an overpass had collapsed...and the significance was obvious... what would happen the next time pressure came upon some of the overpasses... and so they assessed them and began a process of restoring those which needed it. The cost was big... in money...in the inconvenience of closing freeways during the process...but it was worth it.

In a similar way we are looking at some of the cracks... and making sure that the foundations are sound and solid for building our future. And I appreciate your investment.

Part of what is dividing lives … and the different narratives within Christian culture… is how we discern what is true and right.

The past couple years or more...have become known for issues related to “fake news” and “alternative facts” and “conspiracy theories”...and living in a “post-truth age”.

So I want to help us navigate this issue… to help us affirm a commitment to truth that can serve our unity and witness.

So let’s move quickly in hearing how God speaks about the SIGNIFICANCE of truth... about the NATURE of truth... and then some practical ways to help guide our commitment to truth.

The Significance of Truth

It may seem obvious that truth matters. The word for truth is used 224 times in the Bible.

Virtually every book in the New Testament warns followers of Jesus to be on guard against false teaching and lies. [1]

The Bible speak of ultimate truth as essential to life.

Some may recall that Jesus said...“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”(John 8:32)

This speaks of the spiritual truth that is essential for freedom. God is that truth. And Christ explained that he is the truth... the embodiment of God.

To know that truth...to know him... is to know freedom.

We might call that the highest of truths... the most essential of truths.

But the Bible also speaks of truth as a quality that is vital in how we live and relate to one another. God truth calls us to love the truth, delight in the truth, speak the truth, and walk in the truth.

A commitment to truth begins an appreciation for what it represents.

Zechariah 8:3,16-17 (GW) ?This is what the Lord says: I will return to Zion and live in Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth....

You must do these things: Speak the truth to each other. Give correct and fair verdicts for peace in your courts. Don't even think of doing evil to each other. Don't enjoy false testimony. I hate all these things, declares the LORD.

God is speaking to a nation that is in ruins... by it’s own lack of righteousness... and the enemies that then came against it. God begins to speak of a potential restoration. And here He speaks of what they must do in order to be restored... in order to lay new foundations. And he speaks to the significance of truth... He calls them to be committed to truth.

Speak truth...

In their conversations

In their courts

In their claims against one another

Why? Because doing otherwise is to operate outside God’s very nature. These things he hates... because these things are at odds with what is good. God wants us to love truth... not to see it as some moral obligation...but to love it because it is the source of all that is real...all that is good....all that establishes trust.

God says... truth is fundamental to being liberated from the powers of this world.

When God brought the people out of slavery... be could now help them to understand what freedom is rooted in.

So these people... as many as a million... newly freed from generations of slavery in Egypt... He gives 10 core commandments.

And the ninth...

The ninth commandment instructs us about the importance of truth:

Exodus 20:16

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

The reference to false testimony harkens to the way that all life between people relied on the honesty of one another. Instead of the formal courthouses we have today... they would bring conflicts and accusations to the leaders of he community...and witnesses would be called on to testify... to bear witness. The ninth commandment is essentially a call to be committed to the truth...because it is essential for trust.

Truth is foundational to trust.

Can I trust that you will act in a way that is sound and fair... or will you act in a way that is rooted in something else... perhaps trying to fulfill some unhealthy need.