You Can’t Handle the Truth

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:32

There’s a difference between a truth and the Truth. Some things are true for a time, for a person, or for a social or cultural reason. It’s true, for instance, that I love football, though that may not be true for someone else. You might like to eat broccoli. Another person may like weightlifting. Each of these facts can be true for an individual but untrue for someone else.

In John 8, Jesus talks about another kind of truth when describing Himself. He says He is the Truth. This kind of truth is true for everyone, everywhere, and at every place and time. What Jesus said in the Bible about Himself and about us is always true. In fact, Jesus Himself is Truth.

In Jesus, there is only one Truth. There are not multiple ways to get to heaven, to find God, or to live a meaningful life of dedication to the One True God. Jesus said in John 14:6, He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Not a truth, but the Truth. The line by Jack Nicholson in the movie, A Few Good Men, is so true in this context for so many: “You can’t handle the truth!”

Unfortunately, the reality in our culture is that many people can’t handle, or won’t believe, the Truth - the idea that there is only one right way to God, one path to forgiveness, one way to heaven. We’ve been led to believe that different people believe in different ways, and what is true for me is not necessarily true for you. That’s all well and good for football and broccoli, but Jesus makes it clear that is not true for eternity. Let us cling to the One Truth Who we can know personally, serve passionately, and believe fully—Jesus. The Truth.

Jesus, I believe You when You tell me in Your Word that there is just one Truth, and that You are the way, the Truth, and the life. I thank You for saving me. Help me to share real truth with my family and friends, and to live a life devoted to Your Truth. In Your name, amen.