True Vs Truth

 

Posted on December 20, 2022 by Tom Chimento

What is the difference between something being true and the truth? At first glance it would seem that they are the same. Actually, they are quite different. The word “true” is your perception of something. We can both have differing viewpoints on a topic and each one of us be convinced that our viewpoint is true. For example, if someone takes a pro-life stance on the abortion issue, they can make a statement that “abortion is the execution of an unborn child” and to them that statement would be true. On the other hand, if someone takes a pro-choice stance on abortion, they can state that “they have the right over their own body to do what they want with it including aborting their unborn child” and believe that it is a true statement.

To be clear, this post is not about abortion but about truth. I am holding on to the abortion issue for a future post.

To muddy the waters even further we have a legal system that has attempted to validate or invalidate moral issues by declaring them “legal” or “illegal” in our land. So many people conclude that if it is legal, it must be right or true. We can now understand why there is so much disunity among people since what is true to you can be false to someone else and vice versa. This is a real problem in our society today because many are choosing to believe that there are no absolute truths to measure against but that all truth is relative. This is a slippery slope.

The Truth  

God has quite a different perspective on what Truth is. Jesus, the son of God exclaimed:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life". John 14:6

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

According to scripture, truth is a person. Jesus is the Truth! So, when the scriptures say that “the truth will set you free” it is talking about Jesus. He is the only one who can set us free. Notice is says, “If you abide in my word…you will know the truth (Jesus) … and the truth (Jesus) will set you free. Abiding in the word of God leads us to truth and freedom. Since Jesus is the Word incarnate and the embodiment of truth, then all His words must be true. In the Gospel of John, as Jesus was praying for His disciples and all those who would follow Him after His death and resurrection exclaims:

"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth". John 17:17

Why is this so important? Now that we know the truth (Jesus), we have a standard for what is absolutely true (His Word). What is true can no longer be considered relative. If my truth is in alignment with His word, I can stand uncompromising and non-apologetic on that truth. If what I believe to be true does not align with His word, then my understanding of that truth needs to be adjusted.  

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom... Colossians 3:16

Conclusion  

I am so thankful that God gave us His word and His Spirit so that we could be assured of what is truth and what is error. For those who believe and trust in God, it is easy to discern truth from lies, good from evil, and right from wrong. God preserved His word throughout the centuries so that those who put their trust and hope in Him will always be able to know and Stand for Truth!

In God We Trust

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Tom Chimento

 

 Every time we take a bill from our wallet or a coin from our pocket we get reminded that we are a nation whose founding principles were established by those who trusted in God. Whether those responsible for putting “In God We Trust” on all our currency realized it, it is a prophetic symbol and warning to us that our trust must remain in God and not in the financial institutions. The dollar can collapse, our God cannot! God specifically reminds us in His word:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. Matthew 6:19-21

 

This 2000 year old scripture verse does seem relevant today when we turn on the news each night to watch thieves breaking in and stealing without fear of consequence. Surly we can change laws to help curtail some of the violence but for lasting change, hearts need to be renewed to the understanding that we have free access to a God who knows everything we need and has promised to supply it. We carry a message of hope for those who are struggling. In Psalm 37:35 it reads:

“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

 

So what is the message that we must declare? Receive the love of Jesus and be reconciled to God!

Where are we today? According to a 2003 joint poll (almost 20 years ago) by USA Today, CNN, and Gallup, 90% of Americans support the inscription “In God We Trust” on U.S. coins. Again in 2019 a student poll by College Pulse (3 years ago) showed that only 53% of students supported its inclusion in currency—Wikipedia. I’m sure if we polled today the numbers would be even lower. This gives us a glimpse into which way our nation is heading but take heart because the God we serve cannot be “canceled”. It’s time for the Ecclesia to be bold as we speak proclaiming that “In God We Trust” and that we will “Stand for Truth”.

Stand for Truth

Posted on December 3, 2022 by Tom Chimento

Today, it is evident that our country is moving increasingly and speedily away from biblical values. I’m sure the heart of our Father aches as he looks upon a people and nation whose laws and values that once helped them prosper, not only financially but spiritually, begin to quickly fade. Should we be discouraged? No. Should we shrink back? No. Nothing currently happening takes our God by surprise. He is an all knowing, all loving, righteous and just Father who has kept for Himself a people who will not bow the knee to the Baal’s of the world and its systems, who do not glory in unrighteousness but STAND FOR TRUTH even to their own hurt. This Ecclesia, the humble servants of God understand the strength and power of prayer to bring change on the earth.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.” 2 Chronicles 7:14-16

 

So the challenge remains for all of us today. Will we let current events get us discouraged and drive us into seclusion or will they drive us to our knees? Will we let cancel culture silence us or will it motivate us to let our voice be heard from the rooftops on behalf of truth? Will we let the woke in this land pull on our hearts with a false compassion built on false ideologies or will we let the truth reign as we stand upon the “Rock” expressing loving compassion for a lost people with no hope. Let us stand together as Joshua did and make the same proclamation that “…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. Let’s take a Stand For Truth!