As he presides over the trial of Jesus Christ, Pilate asks a poignant question. It is a question with which philosophers, orators and men of all walks of life have wrestled. It is a question that begs an answer, and many people have gone to extreme measures to find it. The question is, “What is truth?”
In this message, we want to look at two questions of truth: what is not truth and what is truth. We will examine these questions in the light of the truth of God’s Word, the Holy Bible. Its author is the epitome of truth, and there is no falsehood in Him, for God is holy. That means He is pure, without a single blot and free of any blemish.
WHAT IS NOT TRUTH
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. John 8:44
“The desires of your father you want to do…”
This speaks of the religion of relativism. If is seems right to me, then it is right for me. If it feels good, do it.
It also teaches that what is right for me might not be right for you, and neither of us should decide what is right for the other. It is bad to try to force your system of right or wrong on someone else.
The religion of relativism teaches there are no absolutes. Everything is a murky grey—there is no absolute right or wrong, no black or white. Everything is situational.
The problem is that relativism ALWAYS leads to chaos. Telling lies is abhorrent to me, but OK to you. But on the further end, relativism ultimately teaches that murder may be abhorrent to some, but it tells the murderer that it is OK for him.
“There is no truth in him…”
The tragic reality of relativism, in teaching that you can decide what is right for you, is that it tells you that you are your own god.
This thinking and philosophy was first presented by Satan to Eve in the Garden of Eden, when he said, “your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5)
The problem with this reasoning is that we are all imperfect beings, capable of making errors. Such absolutes of right and wrong must then be made by a perfect being.
“He is a liar and the father of it…”
When we try to reason for ourselves, we are really kidding ourselves, because we have no true capacity for truth. We are lying to ourselves. We are doing the work of our father, the devil.
The system that Satan has lined up for us leads us down one path: to a place called hell, where we suffer punishment and separation for all eternity.
WHAT IS TRUTH
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
“I am the way…”
Satan will tell you there are many ways or paths to salvation and heaven. But according to God, Satan is the father of lies.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, claimed to the only way or path to salvation. In John 10:9, He said, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…”
Notice Jesus does not state that he is “A way” or “A door.” He tells us that He is “THE way” and “THE truth.”
“The truth…”
Satan wants you to believe that there are many truths, because right and wrong are relative. But according to God, Satan is the father of lies.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, claims that in Him and Him only is the only truth of right and wrong. He said in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Pay attention in both these verses how Jesus again uses that definite term of “THE” and not “A.”
“The life…”
Satan is a murder and a destroyer. The Bible says that he is like a lion, seeking whom he may devour. If you have ever watched a lion on a wildlife show, when they eat, they leave nothing behind but bones. Satan only wants to murder your soul, destroy your spirit, and let the flames of hell devour you.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God came to offer life. In John 10:10, He said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
“No man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
Jesus flatly claims that He is the only path to salvation, the only truth of salvation, and the only life of salvation.
He died on the cross to take on our punishment for sin, so that we could live for the rewards of heaven. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22
The shed blood of Christ offers us the opportunity for repentance that produces faith, and through faith we can receive God’s grace and mercy from the punishment of sin.
God offers ultimate, absolute truth: heaven or hell; salvation or sin; reward or punishment. Which will you choose?
