What is truth? Pontius Pilate asked Jesus these very words before he was condemned to the cross. Ironically, Pilate was speaking to the Truth Himself when he asked this question.
The Truth was literally staring Pilate in the face.
This question anticipates an honest/truthful answer; an answer that would unfold for the world after Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection.
What Is Truth?
Definition: Truth is a thought or word that accords with reality. In John 8, Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” In other words, no one comes to the Father except by the Truth, and the Truth is the Word of God.
By simply observing our common human nature, we can see that we are made for truth. Our five senses are designed to engage the world around us, constantly bringing information about our world into ourselves.
By observing this simple truth, we can immediately know that we are not designed for lies. If we were designed for lies, our species would not survive for more than a few minutes.
Next, truth precedes lies, and lies are based on truth. We discover or know some truth and we sometimes choose to lie to keep the truth hidden.
Finally, think about this statement: We are designed to communicate lies. If we’re designed for lies, then this statement would be a lie. It is, therefore, unintelligible.
Scripture
In John 17, Jesus talks about truth uniting us to God and to one another:
Jesus says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the
world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.
“I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word,that they may all be one; even 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. The glory which you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Jesus also says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
Truth and Freedom
Naturally, the question becomes, Free from what?
- Lies – For example, the Eucharist is not Jesus.
- Slavery to Sin – For example, if one doesn’t know that contracepting is immoral…
- Hell – Obviously, if one dies living the truth in grace, one will not go to hell.
God made us for truth. We must seek truth and we will find truth. We must knock on truth’s door and God will open the door.