This is the ninth in a series of articles on the subject—Do You Know God? In this week’s article, we will consider another aspect of God’s nature that is clearly seen in the Bible but that is often not fully accepted. Specifically, the Scriptures teach that God is the source of all truth. And, it is in the truth which He has revealed through His word that we come to know how to enter into fellowship with Him.
At one point in His public ministry, Jesus cried out in Herod’s Temple, “ . . . He who sent me is true . . . ” (John 7:28). This was a very simple but profound statement that Jesus made about God. He wanted His disciples to know that His heavenly Father was the God of Truth. This was another way of saying that God was the source of truth.
When brought before Pilate during His trial, Jesus said, “ . . . for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:38). In response, Pilate asked, “What is truth?” Men have always sought to know the truth as did Pilate. At the same time, so few are willing to accept that truth can be found only in knowing God.
In a very real sense, Jesus’ statement to Pilate was a synopsis of His public ministry. He came to testify to the truth. Those who would know of that truth would listen to Jesus’ words. How about you? Are you willing to listen to the voice of Jesus? Only in listening and responding to Jesus can we come to truly know God.
The question might be asked, “If God is the source of truth, then how might one living today come to know that truth?” The answer is simple—Jesus! It was He who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6, emphasis added). In reference to Jesus, the apostle John wrote that He was full of truth and that truth was realized through Him (John 1:14, 17).
So, God is the source of truth. He sent His Son, Jesus, to testify of that truth. And, those who listen to the voice of Jesus will not only come to know God but will also come to know how to enter into a relationship with Him.
Let’s now consider what Jesus said concerning what one must do to be saved. After all, that is the reason for seeking to know God. You see, Jesus also said, “ . . . and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). If you accept the words of Jesus then you are truly listening to He who came to testify of the truth. Are you willing to accept His words? Consider the teaching of Jesus . . .
Jesus Taught That We Must Believe In Him. Jesus said, “ . . . for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God. This faith is based on the evidence of Scripture. The record of the miracles of Jesus has been preserved for this reason, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31).
Jesus Taught That We Must Confess Him Before Men. In the words of Jesus, “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God . . . “ (Luke 12:8). The apostle Paul wrote, “ . . . for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:10).
Jesus Taught That We Must Repent Of Our Sins. In the simplest of terms, Jesus made it very clear, “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). To repent is to change or turn. It means to turn away from sin and the world and turn to God.
Jesus Taught That We Must Be Baptized. In what has come to be known as The Great Commission, Jesus charged the apostles, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). This and the preceding points are brought together in the conversion experience of the Ethiopian eunuch. “As he went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him” (Acts 8:36-38).
In conclusion, the God of the Bible is the God of Truth. He sent His son to testify to that truth. Jesus has spoken. He tells us of the truth that will set us free. What will you do with the truth? Do you know the God of Truth?