What is Truth?

What is truth? We tend to degrade the definition of truth just to mean the facts. But truth is far more powerful than just facts. Truth is wisdom showing us the way to live and impacting our lives. Truth gives us the knowledge and understanding to make wise decisions. Truth improves our lives by helping us to avoid deceptions.

In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” It is no accident that Jesus declared Himself to be the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is the Truth, who reveals the way that we should live and who give us life. Truth is more than just facts. Truth is the Person, Jesus Christ, who provides the power for living now and eternally.

Drifting Away

A ship that is left to drift on the open seas is soon subject to a variety of dangers. The waves and winds set themselves up against the ship and take it wherever they go. However, a ship that is functioning at full power and under the wisdom of an experienced captain will most likely find its intended desitination.

Hebrews 2:1 says, “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” The person who does not remember and learn from the truth, will likely drift away from it. Pay close attention to what God speaks to you in His Word and what He shows you in His works. By remembering God’s truth and the works that He has done for us, we can draw upon the power and wisdom that we need to fulfill the purpose God has designed for us.

Cold Hearted

When we speak of a cold hearted person, we speak of someone who has no kindness or compassion. They think only of themselves and what is best for them. In the extreme, a cold hearted person may inflict violence on another person. While a warm hearted person is open to receiving others and has concern for their well-being. We are all capable of hardening our hearts toward others and acting very selfishly and according to self-centeredness.

Ezekiel 11:19 says, “And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh.” When we trust in Jesus, He gives us a new heart and spirit. He takes away our old cold and hard heart and gives us a new heart that is soft to obtain wisdom. Our new spirit enables us to listen to God with understanding and follow Him more closely. Both the new spirit and new heart give us compassion for others and a passion for God.

Rain From the Heavens

I have noticed that rain is somewhat unpredictable. Weather forecasters give us a percentage chance of rain for the day, but it actually means that they expect rain to cover that percentage of a certain area. Rain can fall when it is sunny. In our area, we sometimes get rain that doesn’t wet the ground, evaporating before it hits earth. Rain can be invigorating and is obviously a necessary component of the agriculture in our area. We need rain.

Isaiah 45:8 says, “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it.” Just like rain, we need righteousness and salvation. It has been God’s desire from creation that salvation and righteousness would fill the earth. Unfortunately, people have rejected God’s desire for their own. But one day, God will bring the new heaven and earth and they will be filled with His salvation and righteousness.

Upholds

The word “uphold” is not one that we use a lot. It means to confirm, support, and maintain. We say, “I uphold the truth,” meaning we confirm our words to be the truth. Certain parts of a building’s structure are designed to uphold the structure or to support and maintain the structural integrity. Where can we go when we are discouraged or down? Who will uphold us when we need it?

Psalm 145:13-14 says, “The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” We can count on God’s faithfulness and His kindness. His promises are always true and His kindness is found in all His works on our behalf. These truths support us and lift us up when we feel down or discouraged.