Truth..

Most people that I encounter want to know the truth. They don’t want lies, half-truths, imaginations or guesswork. However, I find more and more that people’s expectations are that they won’t be told the truth and they expect lies. If you did a poll I think the majority would now say that they do not believe what is printed in mainstream newspapers, or on social media or even what is said by our own politicians. “Fake” news and “political agendas” is big business.

A more worrying trend though is that people now apparently have their own version of the truth. It’s “their” truth rather than “the truth”. If their understanding or interpretation is wrong then it doesn’t matter because it’s “their truth”. If you challenge “their” truth because it’s different to “the” truth then you are an “ist” of some kind..labelled for having a different perspective.

As Christians today we are contenders for the truth and testifiers of the truth. That is our testimony. We can confidently declare the truth because the Truth is Jesus and truth comes from Jesus. We can be confident that Jesus told us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Not only that, but Jesus also sent the Spirit of Truth who is the Holy Spirit to be with us, live in us and to teach us and lead us in Truth. Our confidence has to be rooted in Jesus.

As we approach this Advent, let us as believers be confident of the announcement and proclamation that the Truth came into the world and revealed God to us. Let us be bold to declare that Jesus is the truth. I encourage you this Advent to read again from the gospels the words and teachings of Jesus himself. I am reading John’s gospel this December and the opening verses have been my inspiration today.

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” John.1.17-18 NKJV