“What Is Truth?”

MAY 30, 2023

 “Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?” (John 18:38a)

Jesus was explaining to the Roman Governor that the very reason for which He took human flesh and came into the world was to bear witness unto the truth. He then added this Word:“Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” We are not told with what motive this question was asked, nor does it appear from the narrative whether or not he waited for an answer. It seems most likely that the fool who said this was not seeking an answer, but actually spoke this in sneering sarcasm, and in that way, declaring himself to be one who did not believe there was such a thing as truth.

This sounds like the saying of a skeptic who had heard from his earliest recollection so many incredible and barren speculations about “truth.” Being acquainted with the “theories” of the so-called, “deep thinkers,” and of the conjecturing of both Roman and Greek philosophers, he had perhaps come to doubt the very existence of truth. “Truth, you say! What is truth?”

It is depressing and sad as we come to realize that there are millions upon millions of people here in “Christian America,” as well as every other Christian land, whose state of mind is just like that of Pontius Pilate. Multitudes of people who are among the upper classes, try and excuse their irreligion by using the same plea as did this vacillating Roman Governor, they cannot find out “what is truth?” They point, in some cases, to the disagreements among the various religions of the world. “Which one should we believe? Can we believe any of them?”

Not only are there contradictory teachings among the different religions, but there are differences of a vital nature amongst Christian groups and denominations. Some erroneously teach either works salvation, or combinations of works and grace. What is truth? Neither of those teachings is true. The Scripture truth is that salvation is purely by grace through faith, without the works of the Law. Some “Christian religions” teach that grace comes through the sacraments; that cleansing from sin is found in baptism. These doctrines are not true. Thetruth is the Lord gave to the church two ordinances; Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Both are for believers – they are for observance by those who are already saved – saved through faith in Jesus Christ.

Many unbelievers take shelter under this tired and worn-out excuse and go through life without any decided religion. They continue in this wretched and comfortless state until they at last pass on into a hopeless eternity without Christ, Who is Himself, Truth. He said to His disciples,“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

So, it is not true, as Pilate seems here to imply, and as many will pretend to believe, that truth cannot be discovered. God never left any honest diligent seeker without light and guidance. Human pride prevents many from discovering truth. They do not ever humbly go to their knees and ask God to teach them. Neither will they earnestly and honestly search the Scripture. Those who imbibe the spirit of unhappy Pilate do not, as a rule, deal fairly with their own consciences when they hear the preaching of the Gospel, the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. With Very Truth standing before him, Pilate asked, “What is truth?” Even so, many will set under faithful preaching of the Gospel and go away from it still repeating their favorite question,“What is truth?”

Let every seeker of truth hear these words: “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”(Proverbs 2:3-5) Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”(John 8:32)