Secular scientists contend that the best they can do is to propose a hypothesis or an idea, but never the truth. Truth, for them, is in a state of flux. Such redefined ‘truth' is in a constant state of evolution. We do admit that we must change and progress in our knowledge of the Truth, but Truth, by definition, is absolute. It cannot change, or else it never was true in the first place. It changes us.
Many in our post-modern-thinking world contend that this is a meaningless question, because, after all, everyone has the truth by their own definition. Truth is personalized by saying, "What is true for me is the only truth that matters." Truth, they say, is in each of us. Man must be the final arbitrator. Is it possible that all men have the Truth no matter what they say? No, black cannot be white no matter how sincerely a person believes it.
The church has often asked Pilate's question, and not waited for the answer from the Lord either. Study committees and assemblies often present issues for votes based on what most of the people are clamoring for. Jesus once asked the church leaders of His day, "The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men? And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we say, ‘From heaven,' He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say, ‘From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet. So they answered Jesus and said, We do not know" (Matt. 21:25-27). There's a lot of ‘multitude-fearing' going on today.
The reason that many people have trouble defining and stating the truth is that they do not understand the concept. They make truth relative (changeable) and not absolute (unchangeable). By definition, Truth never changes, otherwise it was false. Most people don't want to go out on a limb and say something is true, when they may have to change it later. So, we hear a lot of ‘opinions' and conclusions that center around ‘this is the direction the church should go' (usually accompanied by some horrible exegesis).
It should be remembered that all of us are to grow in the Truth as we continue to learn and understand the Bible. When that happens, the Bible's Truth does not change. We do. God's Word is Truth, and it is intended to change us and conform our lives to the will of God. Jesus prayed for His people in John 17:17, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." By that He meant that the truth of God's Word would set the believer apart-apart from the world and dedicated to serve God. It seems that many people today are striving to arrive at a ‘truth' that everyone can agree on. If that happens, it will be a lie and not the truth. The believer stands steadfast in the Truth not because of stubbornness, arrogance, or provincialism, but because God said it!
The Bible is God's absolute truth. It never changes because God doesn't change (Mal. 3:6). His inspired Word does not change. "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you" (1 Pet. 1:24-25). The origin of Truth is never within man, but always in God and His revealed Word. God does not just tell the truth. He is the fountain of Truth. Jesus declared that He is the Truth (Jn. 14:6). He also promised that the Holy Spirit of Truth would "guide you into all truth" (Jn. 16:13).
"What is truth?" is a question that is often posed to the church and by the church. One denomination recently reported that it is struggling to give answers because there are factions in the church who are demanding a certain position, and there are such huge cultural pressures outside of the church. Truth is not something we weigh in a balance. It is the balance. Sometimes ‘the truth hurts' those who oppose it. The only consideration should be, ‘What has God said?'
The Christian church can never afford to ask Pilate's question and not give the answer. Truth is not elusive but readily available. The answer lies with the nature of God Himself as revealed to us from the books of Genesis through Revelation.
Pilate couldn't see the Truth when it stared him in the face. Thank God that the same Jesus who stood before Pilate also subjected Himself to the cross as God, in His Word, had promised. That Truth has set us free! By grace, we are given eyes to see it.
"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen" (1 Jn. 5:20-21).
