Knowing What's Really True

"Today's Devotion" For June 24, 3005

Read: John 16:5-15; Psalm 25:1-15

KNOWING WHAT'S REALLY TRUE

"'But when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.’"(Jn.16:13a)

Over the past two centuries, the floor of the United States Senate has been the centerpiece for marvelous legislation, oratory that stirred the heart of patriotism, and debates and discussions which helped to form a nation. What has transpired in the upper chamber of the Congress of the United States of America has been - at times - both awe inspiring and downright "anal." Perhaps no more "anal" rhetoric and flying accusations have occurred on the floor of that august body than the recent comments made in regard to issues of policy surrounding the war on terrorism and the differences between how "conservatives" and "liberals" view the events and issues of our times. A United States Senator made it a point to castigate our military for being "Nazis" and perpetrating a "gulag" while debating issues related to an enemy combatant detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Another senator, finding fault with the remarks of a member of the opposite party who had challenged the position of "liberals" on certain issues, lambasted this person as if he had personally attacked the senator's political party and not an ideology.

As these types of useless and personal attacks and debates continue, we're reminded of that most famous - or infamous, if you will - question that Scripture tells us Pilate asked of Jesus, "What is truth?" As we watch the current "drama" - or stupidity, perhaps? - playing itself out in the seat of the nation's government, one cannot but wonder if anyone really cares about the answer to that question. We live in a world gone "mad" with economic upheaval, educational decline, wars and rumors of wars, and an increasingly insidious form of evil in the form of terrorism. At the heart of every one of these, and other, circumstances, challenges, and events the protagonists and antagonists all claim to have "truth" on their side. No longer are we debating truth at the academic level only, where truth has been the place where it has traditionally taken on a life of its own. In today's world, the debate about what's true or not true has taken on a wider audience. Seeking the truth for everyday life and living, for world affairs and the challenges of evil, are no longer "stuck" within the walls of academia. They're not on the center stage of daily living for everyone.

At the very heart of the search for "truth" lies the struggle between the Will of God and the sinful condition of humanity. Satan, "the Deceiver," seeking to take advantage of the continuing confusion Sin brings into the lives of people, puts up more and more challenges to the truth of God's Word and His plan of Salvation for the world in Jesus Christ. Everywhere we look we see competing "truths" about what God's Word really means and how our salvation is really accomplished. We're experiencing a "flow west" of different, non-Christian religions, all purporting to be true and all having a differing view and understanding of what constitutes salvation and, ultimately "heaven." Even our political leaders have gotten into the debate of what role "religion" should play in their politics and decision-making; a debate not at all unrelated to Pilate's question of Jesus, "What is truth?"

For those who believe they have been redeemed from the power of Sin, Death, Satan, and the grave by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross, the "truth" is obvious. Despite competition for a corner on "truth," God's people are focused on God's revelation of Himself to us in Jesus Christ. We stand certain that we know the most important of "truths," namely that we are saved from the power of Sin, Death, Satan, and the grave because Jesus died for us and paid the ultimate price demanded for our disobedience by a righteous and holy God. Knowing what's really true for the Christian means weighing all arguments against the clear revelation of God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Knowing what's really true means recognizing that there are competing "truths" in the world which seek to put us at enmity with God. Instead of being sucked in to debates about what's true, what's evil, and what's real based on opinion, innuendo, and deceit, God's people seek to let the Spirit of God, working through His Word, guide them to knowing what's really true. We are led to the truth that God is the Creator of all things and the Redeemer of the World. We are led to the truth that this is our Father's world and that's He's in charge of everything.

Jesus told the Twelve that they would never have to deal with ambiguity when it comes to the truth once the Holy Spirit came upon them. Through the Word, the Spirit reveals God's truth about His love, grace, and mercy toward us in Jesus Christ. Through the Word we become aware of the truth that God has created everything and continues to work in this world, caring for His creation. Through the Word there are no ambiguous "truths" about our salvation, only the certainty, that by faith in Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven and we have the sure hope of eternal life with God in heaven. While there may be all kinds of uncertain "truths" all around us, we can be certain that this is a faithful (true) saying, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

Prayer: Father, by the power of Your Word and Spirit You have revealed Yourself to me and brought me into a saving relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As I hear the debates and arguments, the derision and hatred being spewed by politicians and others in authority, I'm reminded of the hatred that my Lord Jesus Christ experienced as He was arrested and falsely accused before Pilate. Rather than seeking the truth and upholding it, Pilate did the "politically correct" (today's word for "expedience") thing by turning Jesus, an innocent man, over to be crucified. Father, I pray that you would lead me to know what's really true as I hear Your Word each day. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, I pray that you would also enter into the hearts of every politician and leader of this nation and the world so that they, too, might know what's really true and seek to "stop the madness" of evil all over the world so that all might live in Your peace. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.