You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” –John 8:32

What is truth? In our modern times, truth seems to be in the eye of the beholder. Everyone is supposedly living out their own version of truth. It’s no wonder our culture is such a mess. People don’t get their drive-through order quickly enough, and the next thing you know, we are reading of another senseless shooting. I work in a setting where we often encounter people going through some of their most difficult seasons of life–we don’t see them at their finest hour. And life is hard. It seems as if enduring a global pandemic stripped us of our humanity. People are no longer kind nor patient. People seem to be operating out of their individual insecurities, personal agendas, or deep-seated hurts. People are searching for answers, for comforts and, all too often, the search is in all of the wrong places. It is no wonder that the universal mindset seems to be every man for himself, every woman for herself.

Our searching leads us to places we don’t really want to go. But Jesus beckons us to Him and His comfort. He says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He says the truth brings freedom. How refreshing is the sound of freedom! And it is found in the truth. The truth of Jesus Christ Himself–not truth that distorts the words and example of Jesus or truth that seems right or feels good. Jesus was the ultimate activist. Jesus was the first feminist. Repeatedly in Scripture, Jesus looked at the ones that society deemed unfit, unworthy, unclean, ignored, overlooked, broken, and He lifted them up to a place of dignity, honor, and worth. Jesus’ heart of compassion for the outcast is unparalleled and is our ultimate example.

Sometimes, when I consider how others have distorted and misrepresented the truth of Jesus from Scripture, it sickens me. What would He think of the way we have messed up, twisted, and reframed His words, His life, and His example to fit the mold we need Him to be? Twisting God’s Words to impose man’s agenda, expectations, and standards is nothing new. The Pharisees were guilty of doing the same thing–adding to the Law and making it about following rules. I can no longer idly tolerate the man-made rules that have permeated Christian culture. Striving to do and be better is exhausting and does not bring us closer to Jesus–just makes us resentful of legalistic standards. Oh the woes we inflict when we confuse religion and relationship. Jesus offers us rest from all of that–because not one thing we do can make us worthy of His love. His grace, acceptance, forgiveness, and redemption are not based on us at all. The more we look to Him and His Word (not what man has taught us about Him), the more we become like Him as His truth transforms us from the inside out.

Jesus is the truth. His Word is truth. When in doubt, return to the only source of truth. Do not turn to the right or left. Look up, open God’s Word, and ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Jesus did not come to further subjugate any people group–He came to set us free. He came to show us a new way of life in Him. He has promised salvation for those who call on His name. He has guaranteed His Holy Spirit to indwell those who belong to Him. He never leaves us to our own devices. He is the Good Shepherd. Often, man shows us a version of God that causes us to shrink away in fear. Our life experiences can make us doubt if God is truly good. But He is so good that He welcomes our fears, doubts, and insecurities, and He offers us reassurance of who we are in Him. The closer we draw to Jesus, the more we recognize His voice and the more we can know and discern the truth, according to God the Father.

God is working and doing something new in my life right now. I am uncertain of where it will take me, but I am learning to trust and recognize His voice to lead me into all truth. In some ways, what I have been taught by man has been challenged, and it has driven me straight to the Word of God to seek His heart and His Word on the matter. We tread a dangerous path when we leave ourselves exposed to the teaching of man without seeking God’s discernment and instruction. What I have learned so far is this: God is always faithful. God is always true. God is always good. God is one million percent trustworthy. And He loves me and wants me (and you) to live out the life and path to which He has called us and set us apart. Always, ALWAYS, seek God’s Word on any matter, my friends!

Blessings!