Quid est Veritas? - Part 1

For those of you who have ever studied Latin, you know that the title to this post translates, "What is Truth?" This is the infamous question that Pontius Pilate posed to Jesus before condemning Him to the cross. According to John 18:33b-38a, Jesus and Pilate had a short but substantive conversation. It went something like this:

Pilate: "Are you the king of the Jews?"

Jesus: "Is that your own idea or did others talk to you about me?"

Pilate: "Am I a Jew? It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

Jesus: "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

Pilate: "You are a king, then!"

Jesus: "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

Pilate: "What is truth?"

In our modern day religious world, many people are "church shopping." Since we are a consumer-driven society, it is no wonder that many people take that same approach to religion. When I question people about what they are looking for in a church, they reply "I'm looking for a church with a dynamic preacher" or "I want to find a church with a good children's program" or "I want to find a church with a solid marriage enrichment ministry" or "I want to be a part of a church with a contemporary worship style using contemporary music."

What I rarely (if ever) hear is "I am looking for a church that teaches and models the truth." Are you shocked? I'm not ... we live in a post modern world filled with a philosophy of moral relativism, pluralism, and other "isms" that deny universal truth. Check out this video clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXoNE14U_zM

Truth is risky. It is sometimes tough to handle. It means that there is a standard. It means that there is an eternal ethic that is applicable to all peoples, for all times, in all places. Scripture says that "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." ~ Romans 3:23. Translation: we have all blown it, messed up, missed the mark, and failed to attain God's holy standard. It does not matter who we are, how smart we think we are, where we come from, or where we think we are headed. We have all thought, said, and done bad things that have hurt ourselves and others. And we know this to be true!

While our culture tolerates "little white lies," exalts politicians who break their campaign promises, and promulgates deception in relationships, the Bible says, "Buy the truth and do not sell it ..." ~ Proverbs 23:23. Jesus says, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ~ John 8:31b-32.

Quid est Veritas? What is Truth? When Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, He said, "... your word is truth." - John 17:17. That word of truth is God's word, and we can hear it anytime we read the Holy Bible. The Bible has stood the test of time and continues to transform lives on multiple levels. Why? It is the word of God, and it will stand forever.

The Bible articulates, illustrates, and illuminates the way to peace, contentment, fulfillment, satisfaction, and salvation. It points to the Savior, the central Person of Scripture. It points to Jesus who is the Lord, the Son of God, the Messiah, the Divine One, and the Judge of all the living and the dead.

As you read God's word, you will discover God's design, plan, and purpose for your life. You will discover that there is a standard for how to live, worship and honor the God of the universe. You will discover the kind of church that you ought to be a part of. And you will discover that GOD WANTS YOU!!!!