Truth, to many, is less desirable than the lie which distorts it to their benefit. And to still others, truth is only as winsome to their heart as it is approving of their actions. But, when truth becomes their corrector, it falls instantly and entirely out of favor.
But, maybe we should first simply define truth. For some, that, in itself, becomes a formidable task. But, in fact, it’s not really that difficult – unless, of course, you need it to be.
Nevertheless, a good working definition of truth is this: “Truth is a correct interpretation of reality.” So, if you are telling the truth, you are accurately describing reality. If you are telling a lie, you are distorting reality into something it is not. Simple, huh?
The final authority on truth, and thus, the ultimate Assessor of reality, is, of course, God. Sound a little authoritative? Well, He is God. And the divine authority is, absolutely, a part of our truth, that is, if you are into correctly assessing reality.
This is why Jesus could describe himself as, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” It is because He, as God, determines and decrees the correct view of reality - what is factual and what is false.
How we view truth – whether as very pliable or very concrete - says a lot about us. How we deal with truth, whether we embrace and value it or try to escape it, says even more about us. And our thoughts and actions regarding the truth are strong determining factors in how we relate to God, and how He relates to us.
This last idea becomes very obvious in 2nd Thessalonians, chapter 2. There, in verse 10, Paul, speaking of the characteristic followers of the antichrist, says that God rejects them because they do not “receive the love of the truth.”
The final authority on truth, and thus, the ultimate Assessor of reality, is, of course, God. Sound a little authoritative? Well, He is God. And the divine authority is, absolutely, a part of our truth, that is, if you are into correctly assessing reality.
This is why Jesus could describe himself as, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” It is because He, as God, determines and decrees the correct view of reality - what is factual and what is false.
How we view truth – whether as very pliable or very concrete - says a lot about us. How we deal with truth, whether we embrace and value it or try to escape it, says even more about us. And our thoughts and actions regarding the truth are strong determining factors in how we relate to God, and how He relates to us.
This last idea becomes very obvious in 2nd Thessalonians, chapter 2. There, in verse 10, Paul, speaking of the characteristic followers of the antichrist, says that God rejects them because they do not “receive the love of the truth.”
What is interesting is that God’s rejection is not said to be based in their mistreatment of the truth, itself, – but in the fact that they do not possess a love of the truth. The idea is that they are void of an appreciation for the worth of God’s interpretation of reality.
So, it is true. Some much prefer distortion to the divine version of reality. And human beings are free to do that – to a point. We can mentally ignore, and rationalize, and justify away the undesirables in our existence.
So, it is true. Some much prefer distortion to the divine version of reality. And human beings are free to do that – to a point. We can mentally ignore, and rationalize, and justify away the undesirables in our existence.
We can wrap ourselves in comfortable lies and preferable reinterpretations of the facts. But ultimately, loving and living by God’s truth, His interpretation of reality, is the difference between Heaven and Hell. Simple, huh?
Unless, of course, you don’t want it to be.
