What is Jesus’ Truth? 5 Important Things You Need to Know
How would you define the word “truth?”
I always hate when the dictionary defines a word by using a variation of the word.
Truth is:
- the quality or state of being true.
- that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.
- a fact or belief that is accepted as truth.
Of course, that last one may or may not be “truth” at all.
I suppose the Dictionary definition I’m most comfortable with is…
- a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, or principle.
Have you ever stopped to ask … what is truth?
Not … what is the truth? But simply … what is truth?
Pontius Pilate did. In the middle of His trial, Pilate asked Jesus:
“What is truth?”
John 18:38
The Life Application Bible Notes add the following:
Pilate was cynical; he thought that all truth was relative. To many government officials, truth was whatever the majority of people agreed with or whatever helped advance their own personal power and political goals.
It sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
Maybe we need to ask a deeper question about “truth.”
Is truth simply what the majority believes and agrees with or is there a standard, an absolute truth?
The LAB notes continue…
When there is no standard or acknowledgement of truth, there is no basis for moral right and wrong. Justice becomes whatever works or whatever helps those in power.
And we might include … those who want to be in power.
I’ll admit, this unsettles me … because “relative truth” that can be used to manipulate and exploit people in order to gain power may not be “
And maybe that’s one of the reasons our world continues to struggle. Maybe too many are chasing after “truth” that isn’t really true at all.
Jesus responded to Pilate’s question with the following:
Jesus said, “I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
John 18:37
And Jesus’ truth still stands more than 2000 years later. His promises have not and will not fail. So, I thought it might be helpful to take a closer look at some of the things Jesus said are true.
Things that will encourage and bless us when the relative truth of the world is leaving us unsettled and concerned.
5 Important Things to Know About Jesus’ Truth
1. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Life
This is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only
John 3:16–17Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him .
Some people look at the Bible as a book Christians use so they hyper-critical of others but the truth is that the Bible is a book of life-giving forgiving love.
Adrian Rogers wrote…
Cut the Bible and it will bleed. The blood of Jesus is on every page.
That’s the greatness of God’s love for those of us who fail Him every day.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
And John wrote the following about Jesus…
We know that the Son of God has come, and He has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and He is eternal life.
1 John 5:120
2. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Freedom
Jesus’ truth frees us of our broken sinful pasts.
Jesus’ truth frees us to live fully alive today.
Jesus’ truth frees us to live without fear of the future.
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31–32
Whatever is holding you back today … fear, worry, anxiety, a broken past or an uncertain future … Jesus is able to set you free so you can LIVE with peace, hope, and joy.
3. Jesus’ Truth will Give You a Moral Standard
Jesus’ truth gives a consistent moral standard that is lasting … not a set of rules that move and change along with society’s views and opinions.
Views and opinions that tell us:
- Lies are just a part of life. Everyone lies.
- Abortion is a woman’s “choice.” It’s just a fetus … a clump of cells.
- Sex with anyone anywhere anytime is harmless. If it’s what both people want.
- A little gossip is okay if you follow it with … “we need to pray for them.”
- I need to take care of ME. I don’t have time to help my neighbor.
- Grace is not necessary. It’s all about what you do.
- My sins aren’t nearly as bad as his/her sins.
Have you read this verse recently…
There are six things the Lord hates—
Proverbs 6:16–19
no, seven things He detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
Do we really think God hates these things any less today than when Solomon wrote them years ago?
But there is good news! God didn’t give us this moral standard to spoil our fun or make us miserable. He knew that following His truth and obeying His will would bless us and make our lives better.
He knew it was and is the wise thing to do.
4. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Wisdom.
Jesus said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.
Matthew 7:24–25
I want that, don’t you?!
I want a truth that will make me rock solid. One that will give me strength when the messiness of life starts to feel overwhelming and those who are following relative truth start to throw their hands up in despair.
For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6,9
Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.
I want truthful wisdom that will guide me and give me hope.
5. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Hope for the Future.
Jesus said, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19–20
And…
There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
John 14:2–3
These two promises are ones I hold close to my heart every day.
That is seriously GOOD NEWS!
Whatever is going on in your life and mine … Jesus is always with us. We never have to face anything on our own.
I can tell you, with Jesus’ help, Rev and I have gotten through things I promise you we could never have endured on our own. He gave us peace, and hope, and strength to endure. I still don’t understand it but oh my, I am so very thankful for it.
And then … the ultimate fear — death.
Look again at what Jesus said. He is preparing a place for you and He will personally come to take you home.
People fear having to face death alone … but when you and I have faith in Jesus, we don’t have to face it alone because He promises to be with us.
I’d like to encourage you to learn more about Jesus’ truth. Not what people say about it … not just what I say about it. Please go and seek His truth yourself.
I have a couple of resources I believe will help:
- How to Read the Bible in a Way that Will Change Your Life
- You Need to Ask the Most Important Question about Faith
I’m asking God to bless you today as He gives you hope and peace in and through Jesus’ truth!
A wonderful message on a start of a mandated stay at home week.
As I woke this morning to say my prayers, all I could hear was ‘be still and know that I am God’. Comforting words in this frightening times.
Thank you. Stay home. Be safe.
Thank you, Donna! I love the Lord’s reminder to “be still and know” Him. I am always awed by the fact that He truly wants us to KNOW Him and has given us ways to make that happen. There is a safe security in knowing and loving His truth. God bless you!
I just recently studied the verse in John on Jesus’ declaration that He “is Truth,” Deb. So I’m really nodding and resonating with everything you’re saying here. We certainly do need a standard of truth that does not change based on our mood or situation, especially in days like these! I’ll be pinning this and always feel uplifted after visiting here!
Thank you, Beth! Have you ever studied the Truth Project with Del Tackett? I loved it! One of my favorite studies of all time. Thanks so much for being such a wonderful encourager. I am blessed by your kindness! Blessings and hugs!
Thanks for the informative information on truth. Keep up!
Thank you, Lawrence. I’m so glad you visited. God bless you!
Right now having hope for the future is the most imperative promise we need. Thanks for this Deb!
Amen, Ava! Praise Jesus for being our source of hope and strength. God bless you!
Wrapped up with life and hope…that’s Jesus’ truth for certain. Wonderful encouragement for our times now. Thank you, Deb.
Thank you, Kristi! I’m blessed by your encouragement. God bless you!
We live in a world which celebrates, “live your truth”… which is confusing and uncertain so is, “love is love” – society says its true if you believe it’s TRUE.
As Christians and especially as parents we need to raise our kids with biblical truth. How else will they learn what real love or truth comes from if society tells us it’s whatever you want it to be.. oh how misleading and destructive that is.
I loved your points.. and as Christians we need to know truth, explain truth, practice truth so the world sees real love – God in us.
I agree, Emily! We have to be so careful of the messages that encourage us to self-define truth. It will never satisfy us and is guaranteed to hurt us as a society. Thanks so much for visiting and for joining the conversation. God bless you!
Oh my, “truth” is a word I do not like to hear for the simple fact my husband joined a false cult & he believes it is the truth & is giving me a terrible time because I refuse to accept it as truth. He claims as his teachers told him that our Bible is all based on lies because the Roman Catholic Church transcribed the Bible & did not want people to follow the Torah. Actually, they claim there is 613 laws of Torah. Because he accepts their teachings, he believes he has been grafted in as a Jew & therefore must follow the Torah & all their laws. It is a horrible situation & I am 83 years old & should not have to be dealing with this. I would appreciate your prayers.
I’m so sorry, Frances. That is so much to try to handle. Jesus clearly gave us freedom from those Jewish “laws” and summed all of God’s laws up by saying we are to Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. That is God’s will for us. I’m praying for you and for your family! God bless you!
Wow and Hallelujah in Jesus Name I Pray Amen!! Wonderful Holy Bible Verses!!
Love Always and Shalom,
Kristi Ann