During the month of April, I’ve chosen to blog through the alphabet. Each day I will use a letter to share a Name of the Lord that begins with that letter based on Proverbs 18:10 and the fact that there is strength in the Lord’s Name. I pray you’ll be blessed and that you’ll stop by often.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10 – NIV

Truth

Even if you’ve never seen the movie, you have probably heard the quote from “A Few Good Men.” A courtroom drama, this movie shows the trial of two US Marines who have murdered a fellow Marine. Take a look at this quote.

“Col. Nathan R. Jessep: You want answers?

Lt. Daniel Kaffee: I think I’m entitled.

Col. Nathan R. Jessep: You want answers?

Lt. Daniel Kaffee: I want the truth!

Col. Nathan R. Jessep: You can’t handle the truth!”

Perhaps the most quoted question about truth is asked of Jesus by Pilate at His trial. Another courtroom scene. It’s early in the morning. Pilate is tired. Emotions are running high. There is an angry mob outside Pilate’s palace. The Jewish leaders are asking Pilate to execute Jesus for His crimes. Pilate clearly wants answers, but maybe not truthful answers.  We find their dialogue in John 18:37-38 (NIV).

“’You are a king, then!’ said Pilate.  Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’

‘What is truth?’ Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, ‘I find no basis for a charge against him.’”

Pilate heard truth in Jesus’ words and yet is not willing to stand for that truth because of the emotional turmoil going on around him and this situation. The Jewish leaders hated Jesus and they wanted him dead. That was the only truth Pilate heard that morning.

We hear truth every day. Sometimes we believe it for what it is. Other times we allow our emotions to blur that truth. So what is truth?

Jesus.

In John 14:6 (NIV), Jesus makes this statement. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is our ultimate Truth. When we know Truth, we are able to focus on His words and understand how we should live.

Truth is sometimes skewed in our world. What truth is for one person may not be truth for another. For those of us who know Jesus as Truth, we find this hard to believe and understand.

Jesus also spoke these words about truth. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 – NIV)

Jesus not only is Truth, He taught truth. When we listen to Jesus’ teachings and act out truth in our lives, we find freedom. Freedom from what? The destruction that comes with sin.

We see untruths in our lives on a regular basis. From Photoshopped images to dishonest people. When we use Truth as our basis for living, we are able to distinguish these untruths. But more importantly, we know when we aren’t living as we should. Truth may set us free, but Truth also holds us to a higher standard.

Pilate was so close to Truth he could have touched it, but he missed Truth because of his disbelief. I pray that you recognize Jesus for who and what He is. Truth. When we use Jesus as our compass for truth, we are able to distinguish right from wrong. Good from evil. Holy from unholy. And in Truth we find freedom.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna