Scripture: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” – John 8:32
Explanation of Song: “O God of Truth” was written by Thomas Hughes in the 19th century. The hymn focuses on truth and the social responsibility of fighting for that truth. He writes that as Christians, our lives should embody the godly truths found in Scripture.
Application: What is truth? Seems like a simple question, doesn’t it? But if I were to ask 5 people to share their definition of truth, there is a great possibility that I would get 5 different answers! Even when researching “truth” on the internet, there are many different types of truths.
Where can I go to find the “real” truth? First of all, according to my research, there is no “real” or absolute truth. Instead, there are multiple kinds of truths. There is objective truth and subjective truth. The first is truth that exists independent of personal beliefs, and often can be verified by science, but not necessarily all the time. The latter is a truth based on personal feelings or experiences… yours or mine may differ, but that’s okay. A third truth is that which is based upon cultural norms, which poses a slight problem as the culture in America is vastly different from that in China or the Middle East. A fourth truth is analytical, which is based upon the definition of something, so if my definition is not the same as yours, well, we have a problem. And lastly, there are synthetic truths which are true depending on observations, which immediately reminds me of the story of the blind men each describing their observations of the elephant.
Truth is no longer black and white in our world. It is relative, that is, it depends on a multitude of variables. Therefore, there seems to be no absolute truth – one that stands on its own merit, cannot be adapted to fit specific scenarios, and cannot be argued or changed. But there actually is!
Biblical truth is that truth that is absolute and unchanging. It is the truth that originates from God alone, and it is revealed in the Scriptures. It is authoritative, not suggestive; it is eternal and unchanging. Psalm 119:160 tells us, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” There is nothing that is errant in God’s Word, and as much as mankind tries to prove it wrong, the Bible stands true, and here is what its truth declares.
- We have a Saviour who is truth. John 14:6 records His words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
- We have God’s Word that is truth. John 17:17 states, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
- We have a heavenly Father who is truth. Isaiah 65:16 states, “That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.”
- We have His Spirit who is truth. John 14:17 explains, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
- We have a gospel that is truth. Ephesians 1:13 proclaims, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”
It is only by knowing truth that you can identify lies. When truth is subjective, the same must hold for lies. However, with absolute truths, lies are exposed for what they really are. The truths of Scripture are not subject to public opinion, cultural norms, or scientific study. They are God’s truths, and they are eternal, absolute, and unchanging. They are the standard by which we can measure the false information and lies that the world offers. Only God’s truths can offer a life of certainty and security, and that life can only be found through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Memory Verse: “I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.” – Psalm 119:30
Stretching your thoughts:
1. How important is it to you to have a foundation of truth that is absolute?
2. How does a truth that is relevant and subjective impact your life?
O God of truth, whose living word upholds whate’er hath breath,
Look down on thy creation, Lord, enslaved by sin and death.
Then, God of truth, for whom we long, Thou who wilt hear our prayer,
Do thine own battle in our hearts, and slay the falsehood there.
Yea, come! Then, tried as in the fire, from every lie set free,
Thy perfect truth shall dwell in us, and we shall live in thee.
(from “O God of Truth”by Thomas Hughes)