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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
John 8:32 is a frequently quoted passage from scripture. But what is truth? (A question asked by Pilate (John 8:38) and countless others throughout time; some seeking legitimate answers, others using that question to challenge authority and “conventional” wisdom.) What isn’t quoted nearly as much is the preface to this statement. Jesus, speaking to those who had come to him in faith but with questions none-the-less, explained “If you hold to my teachings you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth,…” which will set you free! John 8:31,32And while I relish the idea of being freed from the guilt of sin and its attendant punishment, there is no way for me to realize the full scope of God’s love and provision without experiencing the full truth of God as revealed in scripture; which disconcertedly reveals the need of self-denial throughout our lives. True and everlasting freedom being grounded in self-sacrifice and self-control, without which our personal lives will fall into contention and failure even as our country falls into ruin.
Few people find fault with a Jesus who promotes love and joy. It was when he made bold to claim to be God, and thus the source of all truth, that the cross loomed large. Which is of course the reason for modern society’s ambivalence and opposition to Jesus. As long as we focus on the Jesus who provides for people and promotes social justice through unconditional love – never pointing a finger or throwing the first stone – then everything and everyone is calm, cool and collected. Who wouldn’t love a Jesus who gives and gives while requiring nothing in return? But that’s not the Jesus of the gospels! He could and did point fingers (see Matthew 7:5; 6:1-5 & 16; 23:13-36) and identified sin even as he thwarted the twisted application of “judgment” by the religious authorities of his day. (See John 8:1-11 – defending the accused even as he instructed her to, ‘Go, but stop sinning.’) He even resorted to violence – or corporal punishment – when dealing with hypocritical, self-righteous, self-seeking behavior. (Matthew 21:12,13 & 23:13-33) All highlighting the truth of Dr. Del Tackett’s statement that, “In almost every case, the perspective of contemporary culture stands in direct opposition to the truth-centered world-view presented in the Bible.”1And because of that, each one of us will face a crisis of faith at least once in our lives as we choose who to develop relationships with and whose example we should follow; deciding to whom we belong and committing ourselves to him, her – or Him – wholeheartedly?
Like Nicodemus, we must decide whether Jesus is just a good teacher – even one sent from God (John 3:2) – or the Son of God. Because if Jesus is indeed who he claims to be, he is much more than a good teacher and humanitarian. (Conversely, if he is not, he’s a liar or a lunatic.) Jesus declaring his words to be “the truth” throughout his conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:3,5 & 11); adding “…whoever lives by the truth comes into the light so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” John 3:21 The question then becoming, ‘Are we living in the light of God’s truth?’ Are our daily decisions governed by a higher authority than our own personal preferences and feelings of the moment or the value system of our culture and world? How do we develop the ability to differentiate between the truth and a lie in the midst of a world under the control of the “evil one”? By looking to him who is, “…the Son of God (who) has given us understanding.”; Jesus Christ. I John5:19,20
James Book writes, “Jesus came to establish truth. That is what promoted his kindness, his healings, his comfort, his mercy and grace. All of it was prompted by his complete allegiance to setting forth truth in the world. If Satan truly is the “father of lies” (John 8:44) then our world needed someone to establish a standard of ethics and values that could sustain and prevent society from heading in the direction of complete insanity.”2Which speaks to Jesus’ declaration that so many find intolerant and offensive today. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6,7 (See also Matthew 11:27) And as futile as it was for ancient men to think they could build a tower reaching to the heavens, ostensibly to “discover” God but actually done “so that we can make a name for ourselves” (Genesis 11:4); so it is futile for us today to think we can “rediscover” God by reinterpreting his being, and thus create harmony and well-being within society by redefining that which has given us our parameters of integrity, honesty and truth.
Chuck Colson asserted that, “The rule of law can’t survive unless there is an underlying and transcendent standard against which we can measure human laws. Otherwise, the law is whatever lawmakers or judges (or any other man on the street) says it is. Which only results in the collapse of free government.”3 And even though Jesus didn’t come to support a political party or establish a particular form of government, Godly precepts and Christian principles have had a lasting impact that were and – I believe – are essential to the general welfare of our nation and the world. As, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,…” Psalm 33:12
Again, Del Tackett stating, “…it is evident that the life of Jesus was dedicated to this task of testifying to the truth (John 18:37, “…for this reason I came into the world,…”), and in a world that is dead set against truth, it is time for us to elevate it to its proper place.”4
1 – 4 Quotes by James Book of the First Christian Church in Kissimmee, Florida, in an article titled, A page from the Book, appearing in the Restoration Herald
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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