What Is Truth?

Jesus said, ". . . and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me" (John 18:37, NIV).

Pontius Pilate responded, "What is truth?" Echoes from this rhetorical question continue to ring in human hearts around the world. Indeed, this is a very deep and philosophical question that demands an answer.

Now, I don't hope to provide a complete analysis of truth is this blog, but I do know that it is an important theme throughout the Bible. In fact, God has said many things about truth, and I've included some of them here:

• Jesus is truth. (John 14:6)
• The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. (John 16:13)
• The truth will set you free. (John 8:32)
• God's Word is a Word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
• We are to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
• God wants us to have truth within our inner man. (Psalm 51:6)
• The way of truth is a choice. (Psalm 119:30)
• We need to speak the truth in love. (Ephesisans 4:15)

The above statements represent only a small portion of what the Bible has to say about truth--a very important subject in God's eyes, to be sure.

Abraham Lincoln said, "The truth is your very best friend, no matter what the circumstances." Why? Truth entails honesty, good faith, openness, and sincerity. It results in a superior quality of life.

This we know: our Lord Jesus was a teacher of truth, and He embodied truth. He always bore witness to the truth. He is the personification of truth, and from Him we learn what truth really is. Jesus' whole life was consumed with the truth--a very important concept to Him.

Pope Benedict XVI has explored the relationship of truth with tolerance, conscience, freedom, and religion. He writes, "Beyond all particular questions, the real problem lies in the question of truth." He has suggested that truth and love are identical, and he said that truth is "the surest guarantee of tolerance."

I think there is a very close correlation between love and truth, for one cannot walk in love without seeking truth and being truthful. Likewise, one cannot live in truth without being a loving and giving individual.

What, then, is truth? It is a way of life in which one strives to be free from duplicity and guile in any form. There can be no compromises about truth. The person who chooses to live in truth has put all lies and falsehoods behind him/her.

Let's say that a person sins or commits a serious error of some sort. The guilt that follows the act suggests to him/her that there is a way to find freedom from the sin or error, and that way is the way of truth. By speaking the truth in love (for oneself and others) he or she truly is set free. "Yes, I did it, and I'm sorry," is the best of all possible responses in such a situation. It is far better than lying or trying to hide from the facts or endeavoring to cover them up.

Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, NIV). So, seek the truth, and you shall find it. "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23, KJV). "Know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). As you do these things, the Holy Spirit--the Spirit of truth--". . . will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13, KJV).

Remember, the truth is your best friend, no matter what the circumstances.

Obedience and Blessing

Did you know that God is blessing you? Actually, He has already blessed you with every spiritual blessing! (See Ephesians 1:3.) It is possible for each of us to walk in the blessing, anointing, favor, grace, presence, and glory of God each day. What is the key to such blessedness?

"All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and when you go out" (Deuteronomy 28:2-6).

Obeying the Lord is the key to great blessing in our lives. Our loving Father loves to bless us, His precious children. In fact, He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. (See James 1:17.) He knows what you have need of even before you express it to Him. (See Matthew 6:8.) "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
Are you ready to see all that God will do when you step out in faith and obedience? Are you prepared to be blessed exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can ask or think? (See Ephesians 3:20.)

"Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus." Happiness comes from being blessed. God loves to bless you, as you respond to Him in trusting obedience.

May the rich blessings of God be your portion today.

ICRS--Orlando, Florida, 2008

Last month several of my Bridge-Logos associates and I attended the ICRS Convention in Orlando, Florida. It was a very busy time for our company. We welcomed visitors to the convention with our appealing booth that had a large lighthouse in the center and Adirondack chairs for comfortable seating. We were pleased to receive numerous comments about the attractiveness of our booth, and we took many orders from booksellers from around the world. We were fortunate to have one of the best--if not the best--locations for our booth; it was right at the front entrance!

It was so good to see old friends and make new friends while we were there. I believe this was my 25th time at the convention, which used to be held in diverse places, including Atlantic City, Washington, Dallas, New Orleans, and Anaheim. Now it seems that Atlanta, Denver, and Orlando are the show's primary locations. Next year we will be going to Denver in July.

My wife, Peggy, joined me at the convention for the first time in many years, and she was able to meet a worship leader whose ministry has meant so much to her. His name is Roy Fields, and he is one of the main worship leaders at the Lakeland Outpouring. She even got one of his CDs. I think it's safe to say that this encounter with Roy made her day.

It was gratifying to see booksellers examining our products with great interest. Our new titles, our top-twenty bestsellers, and our Pure Gold Classics grabbed the attention of numerous customers, many of whom placed orders for large quantities of our books. In fact, several took the whole line of classics, and this enabled them to receive an end-cap display for the books.

Five of our authors were at the convention, as well--Margaret English, Brad Henry, JoAnna Ward, David Balsiger, and Donna Kafer. Incidentally, Brad (who is the author of Destination: the Winner's Circle) was interviewed by "Good Morning, America," and the taping of that interview is scheduled to air this Sunday morning on ABC-TV. (August 3, 2008) I hope to be able to watch it. Brad is an on-fire Christian who desires to minister to fellow-believers around the world.

One very memorable experience for me at the convention was my interview with men from a television network in India. The pastor of one of these men was martyred by Hindus a few years back, and his story is told in our best-selling book, Foxe: Voices of the Martyrs. I was very moved to hear this member of the pastor's church tell me about how wonderful the pastor was and how his attackers had killed him simply because he had passed out a tract to someone. They went so far as to pour acid down his throat! We were happy to be able to present a couple of complimentary copies of the book to him and the presentation was taped for viewing in India.

Though attendance was down somewhat at the show, spirits were high. God blessed, and we thank Him for His great faithfulness to our company, which will is celebrating its 41rst anniversay this year.