CHOOSING GOD PART III

As promised, we are examining a little deeper regarding truth. How does the born again believer deal with it? Let’s examine an interaction between Jesus, Pilate, and the topic of truth. Not only will this allow us to see the world’s argument against truth, but also to see how God identifies truth with us.

John 18:33-38 “Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews? ” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me? ” 35 “I’m not a Jew, am I? ” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done? ” 36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 “You are a king then? ” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 “What is truth? ” said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him.”

Let’s set the context, Jesus has been betrayed by Judas, Jesus has allowed Himself to be taken into custody, and ordered that His disciples not be taken into custody. Jesus has already been questioned by the Jewish leadership and is now being questioned by the representative of the world, Pilate. Pilate first starts with identifying who Jesus is, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus is wanting to know the root of why Pilate is asking. This leads to Jesus presenting a conundrum for Pilate; Jesus is King, but not in any place that Pilate has the capability to have any authority. Jesus is identifying that His information is outside of Pilate’s understanding. Jesus is identifying that His source of information is outside of the world. Jesus further identifies that those from His kingdom will understand His information.

Now this is where we need to stop and realize this is application for you and I. If we are His, we will listen to Him. If we listen to Him, we are of the truth. What does this mean? It means two things, first that our relationship with the Lord is more then just reading His word, but is a living relationship. Second, that we will recognize His truth and have the ability to announce it to others. The world will reject this and us, John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. 19 “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.”

Pilate exemplifies the world rejecting Jesus’ truth by responding with, “What is truth?” Pilate is making the age old argument that we can never know. Many today say such things when Bible topics are too hard to understand, or too sensitive because the world hates us. Be of good courage and declare the truth.

Ultimately, this leads you and I to one basic and fundamental priority. Being keepers of the truth. This might sound vague and undefined but it is not. This is where the Christians’ living relationship with the Son of God comes to life. Truth does not change, but the scenario onto how it is given might. Examine Philip with the Ethiopian or Peter and John in the temple or even Jude the brother of Jesus. Each declared the same truth, but to a different scenario and in the manner that it was needed. What do I mean by this? If we are in God’s Word daily and abiding in Him, we have the capacity to wield truth in the manner that God requires and calls us to. This is why you and I must abide daily with Him. 2026 needs to be the year we abide with the Lord in such a manner that makes wielding truth natural as the born again, spirit-minded people we are. Let’s be about what God has called us to do and share the truth with anyone who is willing to listen.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL