The Truth of the Lie
John 18:38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
The Lies Never Quit
The Unites States in the middle of another national election cycle. These campaigns just go on and on and on. One of things we learn from them is that people can make promises but they can’t always keep them. Sometimes they don’t intend to keep them and sometimes they simply don’t have the ability to keep them.
Another thing we learn is that people lie. Sometimes they lie when the truth would do better. Now I am sure that at some time in our lives we have all lied. Some of our lies are what we call “white lies” and some of them are outright deceitful lies. But most of us don’t live our lives trying to be deceitful. When we say we will pay our bills, we mean it. When we say “I do” at the altar, we mean it. When we fill out an employment resume, we don’t embellish it. That is the way most of us try to live our lives even though we aren’t always able to live up to the promises we intended to keep. But when it comes to national elections, anything that is repeated often enough becomes Gospel truth. The internet now allows lies to be repeated over and over again until most people are absolutely convinced of the TRUTH OF THE LIE. The lies are usually designed to criticize the ability and credibility of the competing candidates. Some of these lies are what are known as attack ads. I personally find our election cycles to be demeaning to the good sense of the people of the United States.
There is Truth
I believe that there is truth. Some of it is just common sense truth, and some of it is Biblical Truth. Common sense would tell us that no person can really be sure that he can fulfill the promises made in a national campaign. Biblical truth would tell us that when a person tells us how good he is and how bad his opponent is, he is not acting like a Christian even if he claims to be one. The Bible says to let each esteem other better than themselves. A Christian is to be swift to hear and slow to speak. A Christian candidate would be kind and considerate and would not slander his opponent. He would admit that he doesn’t have all the answers but would promise that he would do the best possible job that he could. It would be interesting to see what would happen if someone actually tried running a truly Christian type of campaign. People are so sick of the attacks and lies in our national elections that an honest humble man just might have a chance. In fairness I must say that I have seen exceptions to this kind of pride and arrogance in local elections, but I have never seen humility, kindness and consideration win a national election. In addition, Biblical truth tells us that passing along damning information about a person where we personally have not witnessed or proved the information or event is slander. The truth is that many people calling themselves Christians think that slandering politicians in not covered by Biblical truth.
But what is Truth
The truth is that there is a day coming when there will be a Ruler who is fair but also just and who never lies. The truth is that He was crucified by religious and political people who considered Him a threat to their own objectives when He came the first time. But He says He is coming again. For the believer that will be a blessing. For the unbeliever, that will not be a pleasant time.
The truth is, the Lord keeps his promises. To the believer his promise is “Let not your heart be troubled (John 14:1).” To the unbeliever his promise is that His wrath is already abiding on them (John 3:36). Now it has been a long time since the Lord made his promise to come again and the unbelievers in this world doubt that He is going to keep His promise to come. Many even doubt that He was Who He claimed to be. But the Lord had no reason to lie. And He has the power to fulfill His promises.
Doomsayers are telling us that the “end is coming.” They are setting dates as to when the great apocalyptic events spoken of in the Book of Revelation will begin. However, the Bible says that the second coming of the Lord will be ushered in when it is least expected. And so the dates being set are not the truth. I don’t understand everything that the Lord has told us in the book of the Revelation, but I understand this: Christians have been saved. They have been delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10). The truth of John 3:16-18, John 3:36, John 5:24, and Acts 16:31-32, is pretty straight forward. We don’t need to have volumes written on the basic truth of the Bible which says that the Living God who created us has always wanted our worship and He doesn’t want to share that worship with another.
The truth is, the Lord tells the truth and keeps His promises. He doesn’t promise believers protection from persecution, and he doesn’t promise them riches; but He promises them that they will never experience His wrath. Not now, not in eternity. And for those concerned about Doomsday, you will not find shelter in the political system. No man will be able to save you. You will not find shelter by storing food and water because if you have it and others need it, they will take it. But you can find shelter in the Lord. He says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). And if the members of your house believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, they will be saved. And that is the truth.
Bruce Collins
Meditation for the week of September 6, 2015