Truth. People don’t hold fast to it or respect it like they once did. Why? Maybe, it’s because it’s been distorted and has lost its definition in today’s world. Rather than debate any subjectivity of the word, I’d like to invite us to consider the method used by our legal system to uncover the full and complete reality of situations. It simply encompasses “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”. Easy enough, right? It used to be…but can we speak up and stand for the truth today? Actually, we must.

Truth

Merriam Webster defines truth as: the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality. (2) : the state of being the case : fact. When we talk about truth, we can truly only talk about things that have actually happened in history or things that are a current reality today. I’m not sure when we got to the point in our world where we’ve allowed the term “my truth”. Such a thing couldn’t even exist if it wasn’t based on evidence. Rather, “my truth” is really a way of expressing a version of fact that, much like movies, is only based on a true story with added fiction.

When we ask someone about truth, what we really want to know is: “what are the facts?”. It’s one of the reasons why I love the book, The Case for Christ. Written by Lee Stroebel, the former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, who cross-examines and challenges renowned experts on the historical, scientific and psychiatric evidence of Jesus Christ. Determined to disprove Christianity, Stroebel instead discovers a more-than-compelling body of facts that point to the divinity of Jesus. For those who appreciate an investigative approach, which effectively punches holes into some widely-purported viewpoints, this book proves the value of using facts and evidence to make conclusions.

From a Biblical perspective, it’s super exciting to me that archeologists and historians continue to find artifacts and indications that support scriptural people and events. Although faith requires an element of belief (otherwise it would be science), we want to be sure that what we believe is reliable. It’s important to ask questions and to know that there aren’t conflicts with core statements of faith. For those of us who believe, it’s more than just that. Not only do we believe in the truth of the Bible, we have assurances with and in the truth of Jesus.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20).

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him (Proverbs 30:5).

The Whole Truth

Just as important as telling the truth, it’s equally important not to leave things out – especially relevant details that could alter understanding. For instance, if you read a news headline that states one man punched another, you would likely assume guilt for the violent act. If instead, you were given all the details that explained the man threw the punch, because he acted quickly to save a child who was being kidnapped, you would then call that same man a hero.

Society today is leaving out whole swaths of truth in an attempt to satisfy selfish desires and do what feels good in the moment. “You can have it all” doesn’t admit that you’ll get severe burnout trying. “Defy your age” conveniently excludes the cost of the impossible attempt to stay young, whether it be financial, surgical or toxic ingredients. “Do what makes you happy” rarely clarifies that momentary joy can lead to highly destructive lifelong consequences. Somehow, the whole truth is conveniently left behind so that a lie is more believable.

Going back to Scripture, I love noting that the Bible was written by approximately 40 men of diverse backgrounds, from three continents and in three languages over the course of 1500 years. Ultimately, the Bible was “breathed out” by God (2 Timothy 3:16); not dictated, but perfectly guided and entirely inspired by Him. Despite being penned by different authors over 15 centuries, the Bible does not contradict itself, even once. The authors all present different perspectives, but they all proclaim the same one true God, and the same one way of salvation—Jesus Christ. It is a wholly (and Holy) complete work, corroborated by many people throughout many years.

Nothing But the Truth

While truth doesn’t include gaping holes, it also doesn’t include extra embellishment. Today’s culture has extended sentences and changed the meaning of truths that were once defined by a simple statement. Mister Rogers used to famously sing the lyrics to his song, “Everyone’s Fancy” where he affirmed “boys are boys” and “girls are girls” —two basic truths that we would have once thought were timeless. Now, countless addendums are being added.

But truth stands the test of time. It doesn’t need to be changed (although it may need to be understood within the original context, so it can be accurately applied today). Real truth can’t be different from one day to the next, or else it can’t accurately be defined as such.

Again referring back to the Bible, any unbiased document scholar will agree that the Bible has been remarkably well-preserved over the centuries. Copies of the Bible dating to the 14th century AD are nearly identical in content to copies from the 3rd century AD. When the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, scholars were shocked to see how similar they were to other ancient copies of the Old Testament, even though the Dead Sea Scrolls were hundreds of years older than anything previously discovered. Even many hardened skeptics and critics admit that the Bible has been transmitted over the centuries far more accurately than any other ancient document. Things don’t get added or changed, outside of language versions for ease of understanding.

The Verdict

Our country, freedoms, civility and our very way of life were all built upon the foundation of the Bible and the scriptural truths within. The ideas of being a Nation under God, working hard and caring for one another are rooted in His Word. Nothing is more true than the Truth of God. So, why are standing idly by while our culture continues to remove and diminish Him? How will we stop the sliding of truth as the slippery slope continues to grow? Most importantly, how can we point back to loving truth that is the Bible —the very instruction manual for our best, most fulfilling life?

Christians, we were made for such a time as this. May we stand for truth, be known for our love and tell the whole story. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Lord, God, we love You, and we thank You for the gift of truth. We honor You as our True North and the model of all that is good. Help us to follow You and not be distracted by culture. Lord, we ask You to empower us and encourage us through Your Spirit to be bold for You. Souls are at stake. The freedom found in truth is at stake. Help us to help others. In Your Holy Name, Amen.