What is truth?

The whole idea of truth is difficult. Truth is true whether you accept is as true or not. Your age is what it is. A tree is wood. Five plus five equals ten. Etc.

Confusion sets in when truth is difficult to swallow. When feelings get involved people often desire redefine or change what is true in order to fit their emotional experience. I don't think this can ever end well.

Eventually, the truth will hit you right in the face. For some, truth hits during this life. The irresponsible young person who does not give his best efforts in school sees the consequences when he attempts to apply for colleges. The love drunk teenagers who engage in fornication sometimes end up pregnant.

For others, the truth does not hit during this life. They see life they way they want to see it, do what they want to do and there is no negative outcome they can see. This leads many to believe their actions are just fine, whether they were in tune with the will of the Lord or not.

We end up with a world of mixed emotional experiences and a mixed bag of truth claims. Some truth claims come from interpreting moral experiences. Others stem from an ultimate source of authority.

How do we know what is right or wrong morally? How do we discern truth? Do we depend on our limited experience here on earth to form our own version of morality? Do we trust cultural changes? Do we hold tightly to received tradition?

When I read Jesus' words to Pilate I am comforted to know the Lord has revealed truth to his people. We have the truth we need in Jesus Christ and the scriptures. Trust him. Know him. Love him. At times, life seems to affirm his commands. At other times, life seems to contradict his commands.

In the end, we will all come face to face with God Almighty at the judgment. At that time, all our feelings and experiences on earth will be seen through the light of eternal truth. Live with this in mind.

John 17:3

And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

John 17:20-21

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

John 18:37

'You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world-to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.' Pilate said to him, 'What is truth?'

Taken from reading John 16-21