Whether it’s protesters on college campuses or on the city streets, or political candidates vying for our attention and our votes, or media analysis of the same, we are inundated by information intended to influence our thinking. Try as we may to filter and assess all the messages coming at us, the sheer volume of them can quickly become overwhelming. Add to all that volume the even more disturbing reality that truth is no longer the objective of most communication. It’s all about persuasion, influence, and shaping public opinion rather than truth being a worthy end in itself. Lying has become so commonplace and so clever that it is more difficult than ever to discern truth from falsehood.
I’ve written and spoken about such things many times before, but in this present age where truth is often despised—where good is called evil and evil is called good—Christians must be vigilant to cling to the truth that is eternal and unchanging. It is no accident that Jesus and the biblical authors spoke often of the importance of knowing the truth.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17
“…God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim. 2:3b-4
From just these three verses we can see the utmost importance placed on the truth by the Bible. Jesus describes himself as Truth personified. He also describes God’s Word as the truth. In addition, Paul reveals that the Lord desires that all people be saved and “come to the knowledge of the truth.” It is clear that truth is central to the gospel and to our faith. We must seek it diligently, savor it in delight, and speak it without fail.
May the Lord grant us all to see the truth, love the truth, and communicate the truth to both ourselves and to our culture which needs it so desperately.
Loving the truth with you,
Tim Tomlinson
President
Bethlehem College and Seminary
Chapel Message, September 21
Join us Wednesdays for our weekly Chapel Service from 12:00-1:00pm.
