Integrity- People of God

Many people have their own beliefs, opinions and perspectives that have been shaped by their families, communities and lifestyle. The information that we have been fed from our upbringing is the only information we have at the time. Though the information we have may not be truth, but it is what we have been taught, given from someone’s opinion, their teaching or philosophy.  Most times these teachings are developed for the benefit and/or the protection of that particular family or people group. There is only one truth, while there may be many opinions and perspective, but Jesus is the only way “the truth” and the life. 

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. NKJ

As young children we accept the teaching we receive from our parents and adult authorities as real when in actuality they may not be fact, but only the information that they have been limited to or had access to.  As we mature into adulthood we find ourselves evaluating and questioning those presumed facts, beliefs and opinions. We see this with our teenagers as they transition from adolescence to adulthood, they start reevaluating the information they received to see if these beliefs and opinions line-up with their experience. 

There are so many perspectives, opinions and beliefs that portray themselves as truth but in reality they are lies,deceptions and just smoke and mirrors. That is why we must be sure of what is the real truth and how to authenticate what is true and then accurately communicate that truth to our children, family and community. 

Johns 18:37-38a Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”…

As Pilate asked, people are still asking that same question, “What is truth?” Jesus stated, for this reason and for this root cause He was born into the world, that He should display, exhibit, make evident and be a witness to what truth really is. Truth is not part of this fallen world’s views and biases but truth is according to the word of God.  Without the truth of God’s word men would not have been able to believe by faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and then to receive Him as their Lord and Savior. 

Jesus has revealed to us what truth is and has told us the He is the truth, life and the way to God our Father, Creator and Sustainer. 

Jesus “is the way,” the way we should live life on earth as God’s creation to reflect His glory on the earth.  

Jesus “is the truth,” the truth of God’s word to us and the truth of who we are and who we were created to be as God’s ambassadors to reflect and reveal His truths to those who live in lies and darkness.

Jesus “is the life,” He is the One who gives us eternal life that we may have everlasting life with God our Father for all eternity while experiencing an abundant life here on earth.  

John 17:17-19 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Jesus’ prayer to God the Father is that He would sanctify us by His truth and that His word is truth. Many people have the wrong concept of the word sanctify, because of what they have been taught. Some people believe to be sanctified is to remove sin or to be without sin. Jesus said He sanctified Himself, that we may also be sanctified. Jesus did not have any sin to remove but He separated Himself and set Himself apart from His heavenly glory so that we through faith in Christ and the truth of God’s word may also be set apart from this world. 

To sanctify is to set apart, to dedicate, to bless, hallow or to respect. Jesus is asking God the Father to make a difference between His people and the world. To separate them from this fallen system, to bless them to give them honor and respect.

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.   All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.   And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Before the foundation of the world was laid Jesus was with God in the beginning, He was the Word of God and He was with God and Jesus is God. All things were created by Jesus and He made everything in perfect harmony with God our Father. He also gave His creation, mankind a will, that is the ability to choose their allegiance. It was Satan that brought sin and darkness into the world. Fallen humanity was blinded to the truth of God’s word after they rejected God’s truth for Satan’s lie. Jesus came back to restore truth and gave mankind the opportunity to choose once again God’s truth over the lie of the world. 

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

For those who choose Christ as their Savior, Jesus states, if they abide in His word they are His disciples through the actions and deeds that they perform. It is the word of God that instructs us on what truth is and gives us the ability to discern God’s best from what the world calls good.  

We shall know the truth and the truth that we know, will make us free. To know with understanding the word of God is different than just hearing words spoken without any intellectual insight or understanding in our mind. The truth that we should know, is the truth that is in God’s word. When we have a real understanding and knowledge of God’s word and put into practice what God’s word say on a matter, then we are able to be free from the bondage, oppression, suppression and burden this fallen world system tries to bring us into.   

What is Truth? Jesus, His life His words and His love for us is true reality of life. Satan is a deceiver, a thief and a liar but Jesus came to expose the enemies lies and to give us a life that will fulfill our purpose, which is to reflect and reveal God to lost world.

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. NKJ

John 10: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The truth we need to know is that Jesus is the only way to Godthe Father. In Him is life, not only eternal life in some far-off future, but the way for us to live an abundant life on earth.