A Desire for Truth
A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a
bad novel tells us the truth about its author. G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936,
English author)
Truth is an interesting thing. It is usually defined as fact, reality, or
accuracy. Of course a problem arises when the best of our knowledge leads us to
be only 90% certain of something, and for various reasons we can't leave it at
that. There may be a need to act and move forward, but often it comes down to
human pride and arrogance. We want to be esteemed for our knowledge and wisdom.
So we fudge a little and proclaim that what's 90% certain is actual truth,
ignoring the other 10% as though it never existed.
Dealing in percentages has led to the "expansion" of truth. No longer
requiring only facts, reality or accuracy, many now see truth as including
anything that is "obvious or accepted". And that bothers me. Just because a
person says something is obvious or decides to accept it as fact does not make
it true. Remember, "The world is flat", "Stars rotate around the earth", and
"Cigarettes won't hurt you"?
Truth is important in a court, but not because its decisions are the truth.
Judges and juries may seek the truth, but most decisions are something
less...what is most likely or most probable...not what is actual fact. Where
truth is important is in regard to the witness, that person called to state what
he has seen, heard, done or discovered. And the job of opposing lawyers is to
discredit the witness if they can.
Suppose you're on a jury in a case where a man is charged with murder. There
is no evidence, just one witness who paints an elaborate picture of the man's
character, mentioning his temper, his dislike of the victim, and his threats
against him. The witness appears confident and certain. Then the lawyer asks,
"Did you see or hear any of these things?" The witness answers, "No." "So how do
you know what you've just told us is true?" "Because I read it in an email." The
lawyer then proves the email was signed with the name of someone who does not
exist and shows there is no evidence of any threats.
What would you think of the witness? Would you trust any of the information
he's given? Would you ever again trust him as a source for the truth?
Across the world truth is being attacked in one form or another. Sometimes
by governments, sometimes by organizations, and sometimes by individuals, all
more devoted to furthering themselves or their own cause than in seeking the
truth of a given situation. Truth is not important, as the ends they desire
justify the means they use. Sadly, many Christians have also fallen into this
game of playing with the truth.
In my country we are in the midst of a Presidential election and in this age
of the Internet, there have been a growing number of derogatory, even hateful,
emails. Lately it seems that in Christian circles, the majority of these concern
Barack Obama, but others have also been the focus. [And by the way, this is not
an endorsement of anyone.] Many of these emails are quite passionate, seldom
researched, and in some key points, completely false in certain claims which are
represented as truth. And in spite of such false statements, Christian men and
women freely pass them along.
This is not about politics, but how in everything we are to remember, honor
and respect our Lord, the God of Truth. (Psalms 31:5) The determination of who
may lead a country has NO significance compared to the importance of our witness
of the One who has called Himself Truth. G. K. Chesterton spoke about integrity
in writing, but what he said also applies to our own integrity, who we are to
others and who we are before God. The one who seeks the good of others will tell
us the truth of the Son of God. But the one who seeks his own good tells us the
truth about himself.
Each of us has the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace (Acts
20:24b) We are His witnesses to the truth of the Good News that is Christ Jesus.
When we speak without regard to the truth or ignore a few lies and half lies, we
take part in deception. And if we do not care about the truth in matters of this
world, why would anyone listen when we share the Truth in matters of the next?
They won't!
So as one who unashamedly follows the Way, the Truth, and the Life, I urge
you to seek, discover and find the truth. In what you send or represent to
others, make certain there is nothing false or hidden. May it not be said of us,
Truth has stumbled in the streets and is nowhere to be found. ( see Isaiah
59:14-15)
"He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who
works for the honor of the One who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing
false about him." (John 7:18)
Take care and be God's,
Chuck Graham
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