In today’s climate, truth is hard to come by. Lies, half-truths, and removal of any opinions contrary to the government or contrary to some pastors are the norm. Some pastors call such an independent thinker deceived or a heretic and they are banished from the church. The government says they are spreading misinformation and they are banished from social media. What’s a person to do? Is there no place for revelation, insight, and independent thinking? Peter received a revelation that Jesus was the Christ, and Jesus told Peter He would build a community of called-out believers (i.e. church), upon this revelation (Matt.16:13-18).
Jesus and Peter were not received by the religious leaders of their day, any more than any of the prophets were received which God had sent over the centuries (Acts 7:52). The following 2000 years of history show that we always resist creative leaders and prophets. Many were tortured and burned at the stake. Galileo suggested the world revolved around the sun and the inquisition in Rome declared this belief to be contrary to Scripture and put him under house arrest for the last 8 years of his life.
Jesus teaches CLEARLY how one comes to the truth
Let’s examine ALL nine verses where Jesus mentions the word “Truth.” This will give us Jesus’ understanding of how He believes we are to come to truth. I can't think of a better person to go to to learn about discovering the truth.
- Jesus is the truth: Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (Jn. 14:6-9).
- Beholding the glory of Jesus: And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (Jn.1:14).
- Logos and ginosko: So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word (Logos), then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know (ginosko – intimate knowing – word is used for a man knowing his wife in an intimate sexual union) the truth, and the truth will make you free" (Jn. 8:31-32).
- Practicing truth: But he who practices the truth comes to the Light (Jn. 3:21).
- Truth involves hearing from God: But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God (Jn. 8:40).
- Spirit of Truth is within us: The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you (Jn.14:17).
- The entire trinity is involved: When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father (Jn.15:26).
- Spirit guides into all truth: "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come (Jn.16:13-15).
- Hearing Jesus’ voice is evidence you are of the truth: Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice (Jn.18:37).
My summary of what Jesus teaches about coming to the truth
- Hearing from the Spirit - This occurs 5 times which is more than half of the total references, meaning that by the law of proportion, Jesus considers this MOST important!
- I am the truth - This occurs 1 time. Truth is not a “what” but a “who”, actually it is a relationship with Jesus where we receive His wonderful counsel.
- Beholding the glory of Jesus – this occurs 1 time. As we fix our gaze upon Jesus (Heb. 12:1,2) and tune to flow, Holy Spirit takes over (Jn. 7:37-39) and the scene comes alive allowing us to see a vision of what Jesus is doing and what He would have us do.
- Continuing in Jesus’ words – This occurs 1 time. Bible meditation (Josh. 1:8) involves Jesus speaking to us by opening the Scriptures to us, as He did with the disciples on the Emmaus Rd (Lk. 24:13-35).
- Practicing truth allows you to come to the light - This occurs 1 time. As we walk in His light, anointing and revelation continue to expand in our lives (2 Pet. 1:19).
These nine verses from Jesus about coming to truth center on revelation from the indwelling Spirit. Jesus modeled this lifestyle: The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works (Jn.14:10).
Notice what Jesus skipped in His list of what it takes for one to come to the truth
Jesus’ approach to coming to truth is quite different than that of the Western world. How about you write your summary from the above verses as to how Jesus tells us we come to truth? You might want to write a second list of the things you have previously believed you needed to do to come to the truth. Then journal and ask God what He wants to speak to you concerning coming to the truth.
So I journaled: Mark, truth arises from within. I kept you. I protected you from the error of “The Way” when you were hungry for Kingdom power and Kingdom reality. I do that with all My children. I then LED you along a path of discovery that opened your eyes, your ears, and your heart. I led you to a cassette lending library which led you to Derek Prince, a Spirit-anointed teacher who spoke powerfully into your life. You followed, you left the old systems, and you walked out into the wilderness with no safety net other than My guiding hand and your decision to trust I was leading and I would provide. I did provide. Look where you are now! I have rewarded your passion for truth.
Dig Deeper
Related Resources:
How to Hear God's Voice!
