Once upon a time, I would have said that there is an absolute truth; that the world we live in operates a certain way, even if we are not aware of it or if our perspective of it is different to someone else’s. It is a bit like three blind men touching an elephant, and each coming up with different ideas about what an elephant actually is. But the elephant is still an elephant, and not a giraffe or a peacock.
I remember having a ‘discussion’ about this with a psychologist at work one time. He seemed to think that truth is really what you would like it to be – that we all create our own truths. He also presented to me some new age spiritual philosophy that he had – a bit from here and a bit from there…. It seemed to suit him and so he was rationalizing it. At least he asked me what I thought…. I think he knew I was a Christian.
These days I believe that truth is a relationship. I know this sounds odd at first, but our truth is not based on laws, such as the law of gravity or Pythagoras’ theorem, but on who God is, and our relationship with Jesus. What goes up, generally does come down, but I guess there can be exceptions. I have heard of Christian mystics levitating as they get caught up in the Spirit – in a Christian sense, as well as it being a demonic thing (The enemy can only mimic the Kingdom). I have also heard stories of people travelling in the Spirit – as in to different parts of the world. Weird, right, but I believe true (for some).
Jesus himself said, in John 14: 6-7 and 12 – 17
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth.”
There are a few references to truth in this one. It is almost as if Jesus is saying, “ I am the way home to the father, I am the only truth you need to believe in and I will give your life a fullness of meaning and purpose”. If you like metaphors, Jesus is our compass, He is the pair of glasses we see the world through, and He is the feast on the table in front of us. Jesus is speaking to the disciples at the last supper after foretelling his own death and letting them know that he will leave them soon and return to the father. I would imagine there would be weightiness in his words, some disbelief, astonishment, confusion and a few shock waves in the room. He is letting them know that whether he is there or not, and regardless of the circumstances, that he will be with them and they have a way home; that this life is not the end. It is a promise of the ongoing authority and work of Jesus, and His presence to be with them in a new way – through the Holy Spirit. He is the truth, even if we can’t see and touch him right now. Everything else in life and death can be defined and given meaning and purpose through Him, and Him alone (with the Father and the Spirit). This is truth.
John 1: 14 – 18 (The Passion Translation)
And so the Living Expression became a man and lived among us! And we gazed upon the splendor of his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father overflowing with tender mercy and truth! John taught the truth about him when he announced to the people, “He’s the One! Set your hearts on him! I told you he would come after me,even though he ranks far above me, for he existed before I was even born.” And now out of his fullness we are fulfilled! And from him we receive grace heaped upon more grace!
Moses gave us the Law, but Jesus, the Anointed One, unveils truth wrapped in tender mercy. No one has ever gazed upon the fullness of God’s splendor except the uniquely beloved Son, who is cherished by the Father and held close to his heart. Now he has unfolded to us the full explanation of who God truly is!
Many a long year ago, I went through a phase of writing a few poems. I haven’t been inspired to do that any time since, so I kind of feel like it was God inspired?? This in one of them:
I want to live for what’s real,
To cut out the crap
Find the truth
And shine in the light;
To live for what really matters.
I want to know a love so deep
That it is hard to bear
Forgiveness flows freely
And my heart it soars
My life, it is now yours.
I want to live for what’s real
Cut out the crap
Shine in the truth
Light the way for you
Wrap you up in my arms
My heart is now at peace
And love is freely given
Fears are pushed gently aside
And the road ahead is long, and rocky….
But I want to live for what’s real
For the truth that lives in your Spirit
I’m sick of running circles around myself
I need to shine in the light
Your light and your love.
It is still my hearts desire to find meaning and purpose in life…. Although as I get a little older and wiser these days, I know its not always that easy. We have an amazingly good God. I choose to set my heart on Him.
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
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