And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
(John 8:31-32 KJV)
What is truth? Seems like in the world today it is acceptable to have many versions of the truth. But, can there really be many versions?
I had a few rough moments when I was going through seminary. One particular professor wanted me gone. I had dared to debate him publicly over something he said. He professed that there could be two completely opposing interpretations of scripture and both interpretations be perfectly valid. I disagreed. I viewed this as sacrificing truth for unity.
The truth should never be sacrificed. Whether it has to do with spiritual truth or truth that pertains to the world it should never be sacrificed for then we will function according to the lies that we perpetuate. We will be in bondage to these lies. When it is then distortion of the truth; out right lies becomes accepted as truth. When we hear calls for unity we must ask ourselves if these calls to unity require us to accept as truth what is not the truth? Are we willing to accept lies for the sake of unity? Are we willing to live our lives miserable and drowning in the lies that we have been told and accept for the sake of unity?
St. Paul suggested otherwise. It does our neighbor no good to speak lies to him or her. Deception will not bring us together. Only the truth can unite us. If we are to be one, we ought to be truthful. "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." (Eph 4:25)
Neither freedom nor unity come from lies. Half truths and gross exaggerations are lies. Lies only lead to more bondage; bondage to the lies themselves and to the ones who taught us the lies and who we believed.
Know the highest and best truth of all. Know that Jesus the Christ is the truth who lived and died and lives for you. He is the only truth that can truly set you free!
God's Peace - Pr. J.
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