The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Carri C. during the 2007-2008 League.
Truth
"What is Truth?" This is what Pilate asked Jesus in John 18:38, and it is what many people ask today. Truth in the dictionary is defined as, "The quality or state of being true" and, "The body of real facts or events". To understand the first definition, I looked up the word "True". It was defined as "Completely loyal, agreeing with facts." I also looked up "real", to better understand the second definition. "Real"was defined as, "Not artificial or fake, not imaginary". Words that were similar to "Truth" or that are related to it are: Fact (Something that actually exists), Reality (Someone or something real or actual) , Veracious (Being truthful or accurate) , Genuine (Being actually what it seems to be, not pretended), Actual (Existing in fact and not merely as a possibility), Honest (To tell the truth), Accurate (Agreeing exactly with the truth), Veracity (Agreement with truth or fact).
There are many different views of Truth, for instance, 4 + 4 = 8 is a truth and truth is shown in many ways in science. There is constant disagreement among the religions of the world, who all believe that their religion is the true one, and that their god/gods are the true god/gods. Hence, the reasoning of the world today, saying that what passes for Truth is nothing more than a personal bias.
But in the Bible, Truth has never changed. It is often closely connected to Jesus and the Gospel. In Psalm 31:5 "Into your hands I commit my spirit, redeem me Oh Lord, God of truth", He is depicted as the God of Truth. And many, MANY times in the Old Testament, He says, "I tell you the Truth."
In John 1, verses 14 and 17, Truth is said to have filled Jesus, and that through Him came the Truth. "14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.....the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 17b Truth came through Jesus Christ.". Jesus goes even further by saying in John 17:17, "Thy Word is truth." and in John 1:7 tells us that Jesus is the Word. Moreover, Jesus says He is the Truth - John 14:6 "I am the truth." The word Truth in this verse was translated from the Greek work ALETHEIA, it is the manifested, veritable essence of a matter. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary, "The word (Truth) has an absolute force in John 14:6 The meaning is not merely ethical truth, but Truth in all it's fullness and scope, as embodied in Him. He was the perfect expression of the Truth."
Truth is very powerful, according to the Bible. In John 8:32 it says, "And you will know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free." It is also very helpful, "Kings take pleasure in honest lips, they value a man who speaks the truth." Proverbs 16.13. Truth is depicted as a piece of the protective armor of a Christian in Ephesians 6:14a, "Stand firm then, with the belt of Truth buckled around your waist."
Like Pilate, the world today believes truth is relative (whatever the majority decides it is). But Jesus, God in human flesh, made it clear that He is Truth. Therefore, anything not in agreement with Jesus or His word cannot be truth.
