The Word & Spirit of Truth, Day 2

Truth is objective reality. There is no such thing as my truth or your truth because it isn't subjective to the opinions of mortals. But unfortunately, the church, which according to Paul is supposed to be "the pillar and ground of the truth," (I Tim. 3:15), has succumbed to prevalent culture and compromised the Word to make itself acceptable to man. Yet the compromise of some during a temporal age can never negate eternal Truth.

If the sky is blue and I declare it red, I am wrong. My declaration, even if I sincerely believe it, does not alter the fact that the sky is blue. Unless one takes it upon oneself to change the definition - something society is attempting to do today. However, the only One qualified to do so is the Creator of whatever is being defined. So while humanity may attempt it, they can never succeed because God has not and will not change. As the author of Hebrews points out, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8), and Psalms 119:89 declares, "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." The Word of God on any matter is firmly established in a fixed place, immovable, and appointed.

The Psalmist stated, "The entirety of Your word is truth," having earlier prayed, "take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your ordinances" (Ps. 119:160, 43). Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). In His prayer for the believer, Jesus requested of the Father that He "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth," (John 17:17). When Jesus stood before Pilate, Christ stated, "For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice" (John 18:37). He is Truth personified, and His voice is heard by those desirous of it. The problem is, often, we don't want the truth. Rather we want a sympathetic ear to justify our desires and behavior.

When Jesus promised believers another Helper, Christ called Him "the Spirit of truth" (John 14:17). According to Christ, the living Word of John 1:1, "the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you" (John 14:26). (It goes without saying that the Spirit can't help you remember things you've never studied. I tell my boys it's futile to pray this before a test if you have never studied. Remembering something is to put back that which once was membered/joined to your mind.) This same Spirit of Truth who "proceeds from the Father" testifies of Christ, the Truth, and helps us in our witness (John 15:26-27).

The Spirit of Truth confirms (whether you want to admit it or not) that there is an objective truth. No sane person would deny the evils of genocide in any society. Why? Because systematically seeking to exterminate any people group is wrong. None of us went to school to learn that. We inherently know it to be true. It's a truth God put within us at our creation. We don't get to pick and choose what verses of Scripture we will live by any more than we can decide which laws of the United States we will follow. Nobody will be able to stand before God and answer, "Well, that just isn't my truth," any more than they can do so before an international tribunal and declare they are justified because their definition of genocide differs from known international law. Our opinions are of little account in light of a higher law.

Scripture is the Word of Truth to humanity, testified to by the Spirit. In and of ourselves, it is impossible to keep. Hence our need for the Savior, Jesus Christ. And our risen Lord has gifted us His Holy Spirit to enable us to overcome the lies that would hold us captive to the world's system and to live victoriously in the truth. And it is this truth that frees us. Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." When confronted by the religious leaders who claimed they had never been in bondage to anyone, He continued, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:32-36).

Jesus called Satan the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Many are in bondage because of the lies the enemy has whispered in their ears. I want to encourage you today to step into the Truth, the very Person of Christ, as revealed in the Word through His Holy Spirit. You don’t have to live enslaved and tormented by your past or present. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. All are available to you today, at this very moment because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The ability to recognize we are wrong and, by the power of His Spirit, step into truth isn’t easy, but you’ll gain a freedom no person can ever take from you because it is based on the truth of God's very person. Do not hesitate. Allow the Word to set you free and the Spirit to fill your life today!