What Is Truth?

II Timothy 4:4-5

At the trial of Jesus, Pontus Pilate asked this question, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). Of all the verses in the Bible for America to pick as her theme, this would have to be the theme verse for our current culture. Most people view truth as relative. They live their lives by their choice truth. "Facts" are a thing of antiquity, before humanity became enlightened to the truth that there is no truth (yes that is an oxymoron). Sadly, Pilate was looking truth in the face and could not see it because he simply did not want to. If there was no absolute truth, then Pilate was not responsible for his actions. He could simply "wash his hands" of the matter before him. This is why people want to hold this same belief today.

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"and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

II Timothy 4:4-5

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Paul told Timothy that people would turn away from the truth and turn toward fables. The Word translated "fables" is the Greek word "mythos". It is the Greek word from which we get our word "myth". The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines the word myth as "a widely held but false belief or idea". Our world is filled with myths. People believe that if they do enough good things, the good will outweigh the bad, and they will get into heaven. Others believe that "a loving God would never send anyone to Hell". Still others believe that all religions will lead you to some version of Heaven. Then there are those who are depending on membership to a specific religious sect to get them into Heaven, or a ritual (like baptism). However, the "TRUTH" is that there is only one way. Jesus said He is THE DOOR (John 10:9-10).

People do not want to hear that their beliefs are wrong. They will get downright hostile when faced with the truth. Could you imagine someone punching a doctor in the face because he told them they have cancer and need treatments? Or how about a doctor being thrown in prison because he told a patient that their diet of bacon and fat back was not making their heart disease better? Would we tell a doctor he was hateful for telling the diabetic that they cannot live on Twinkies, ice cream, and chocolate cake, that he was hateful and narrow minded? Of course not! Yet, many many Christians have been berated, beaten, imprisoned, and killed for stating the same types of truths on spiritual matters.

The phrase "be watchful" can also be translated "be sober". It carries with it the idea of being clear minded and alert. Yes, there is an application for not using intoxicants, but there are many things that can distract us from being alert besides these. God expects His people to be alert and to sound the alarm of danger. The most prevalent danger in the world is sin and death. This duo stalks, attacks, and destroys every human being. We are to sound the alarm, even if people would rather sleep through the danger. Look at what God told the prophet Ezekiel:

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"When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand."

Ezekiel 3:18

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Next Paul says, "endure affliction". Ancient writers often used this Greek word to describe the hardships of military service. I remember watching Band of Brothers and the portrayal of the hardships our soldiers endured during the Battle of Bastogne. Frigid winter, frostbite, enemy attacks, hunger, being outnumbered, death, and being stuck in a hole unable to move, simply hoping to survive for five days; the soldiers held the important Belgian crossroads in 1944. Paul tells Timothy to endure the affliction of Spiritual warfare. Martin Luther wrote:

And though this world, with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God has willed

His truth to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim,

we tremble not for him;

his rage we can endure,

for lo! his doom is sure;

one little word shall fell him.

Finally Paul says, "do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry". An evangelist is a herald of GOOD news. So isn't it crazy that people hate our message?! Paul tells Timothy to keep proclaiming the message of salvation. It is not a one and done task. The phrase "fulfil your ministry" means that we must see it to completion. In other words, we proclaim the message until everyone we come into contact with is saved (though they will not all believe us), until we die, or until the Lord calls us home. As long as we have breath in this life, we are to proclaim the Gospel.

Father, help us to be faithful witnesses. The world may not like our message, but it is their only hope. May we not love the comforts of this life above eternity and those who are perishing. Though they resist us, may we stand firm.