Nowadays with the internet and television, information is easily available and everyone is trying to tell us that they are telling the truth. But not everything that is spoken or written, or that is shown on the news, is 100% true, and some things are not true at all!
How then is it possible to know what actually is true?
I’ve found it very easy to be influenced by good arguments and by the things I see and hear. How easily I am influenced also depends on how I’m feeling on a certain day or who I speak to.
But the truth – the real truth – doesn’t change. It is not affected by what we can see, hear and feel. It says in the Bible that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8.) It also says that the grass may die and the flowers fall off, but the word of God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8.) For me, this means that if I seek the real truth, then I can trust that I will find it in God’s Word. (John 17:17.) His Word is not old-fashioned or outdated and will not change over time. And God’s thoughts are far higher and more valuable than anything that I can think with my small human brain.
When seeking the truth, I should learn to see everything the way that God sees it. All the questions I have about all kinds of things become unimportant when compared to eternity, which is what God thinks about. And if the whole world would live according to the truth we find in the Word of God, then there would really be heaven on earth.
There are some truths that I have found in God’s Word that have helped me personally, so that I can at least do my part to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth and prove with my life that God’s Word is true.
#1
“God is against the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (NCV).
As human beings, it is often pride that drives us to do something - wanting to be the best and to hide our weaknesses; to always get the last word; to take care of “I”, “me” and “mine” at all costs. Even if I want to be good to the others, I find this pride deep down inside me.
But it says in the Bible that God is against the proud. He resists them. The truth is that I can’t become happy by getting my will and my way in everything. Many people are rich, successful, and famous. But it is not so sure that all those things will give them rest and peace on the inside. If that same person is proud and selfish, then it is impossible for him to be really happy and at rest inside.
But there is hope for me if I humble myself! When I am humble – when I admit the truth that I am actually full of pride inside and that I need God’s help to become free – then God gives me grace (or help) to overcome. I become free from the unrest that comes from always wanting to be the best, wanting to be right etc.
Being right, getting my own way and wanting to be something special in this world becomes meaningless when I see that those things mean nothing in God’s eyes.
#2
“We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (CEB).
The things we can see don’t last. Everything we have on this earth only lasts for a time. It is possible to “know” this with my mind. But it is something completely different to know it with my heart so that I stop focusing on the earthly things, and focus on the eternal things so that my treasure is in heaven, like Jesus speaks about in Matthew 6:20.
What is the treasure in heaven?
It says that the Word became flesh in Jesus, which means that He lived according to God’s word and those words became His life. (John 1:1-4,14.) It is also possible for me to live such a life. Jesus said we could follow Him by saying No to ourselves and taking up our cross. (Matthew 16:24.) This means that I give up my own strong will that goes against what God wants for me. I decide to go the way He is leading me even when it goes against what I want.
Then God leads me on the way of salvation, and I experience that I receive more and more of His nature. (2 Peter 1:4.) I begin to see how good it is to give up my own ideas, opinions and wishes that are against God’s will, because I learn that the “things that can’t be seen” can give me true joy that goes far beyond the pleasures of earthly things that only last for a while.
#3
“You make yourselves look good in front of people, but God knows what is really in your hearts. What is important to people is hateful in God’s sight.” Luke 16:15 (NCV).
It is so easy to want to defend myself when someone accuses me or speaks of me in a way I don’t like! What people think of me can be so important to me! But this verse says that God looks at my heart. Jesus never sinned and yet He died on the cross as a criminal. However, God knew that He had never sinned, therefore He highly honoured Him and gave Him a name that is above every name. (Philippians 2:9.)
Jesus understood that what people thought of Him meant nothing. He only wanted God to be well-pleased with Him. In this way, He left us a great example to follow. If people accuse us, rightfully or even wrongfully, or if we are not thanked for what we have done, then we can remember that it only matters what God thinks of us and that our hearts are pure, and then what people say or think means less than nothing!
This verse also says that what people look up to is hated by God. That is a great truth to hold fast to. Society, media and strong personalities can try to draw us in different directions. And most of the world follows without thinking much about it. But God hates all of this. If I can truly see things the way He sees them, then I don’t need to do just the same as the others. I can peacefully and joyfully follow my own path that leads towards heaven.
#4
“You will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32.
I have thought about this verse many times. God wants me to know the truth and especially the truth about myself - how I really am on the inside. Jesus said in Mark 10:18 that no one is good except God. And Paul said that even when I want to do the good, I will still find that evil is right there inside me. (Romans 7:21.) I have to really be humble to agree that in everything I do, I still find there was so much of “myself” in it, even though I wanted to do it well.
In Malachi 3:2 it’s written about the fire that refines metal, and it also mentions a very strong soap. This is how I have experienced seeing how I really am inside. It can feel like a fire that burns. But if I agree with it, and obey what God tells me, that “fire” burns up the sin that lives in me and it leaves my heart cleansed in that area. It is painful, but it gives me power. It makes me free from that specific sin that I see. That is what salvation is – it is making me free from sin.
And the soap is not the gentle type – but it cleanses me and frees me if I accept the truth and humble myself before God’s face.
Truth does not come cheap. I only find it if I give up everything of myself. But in return, I receive everything that matters for eternal life.