What is Truth

In John 18:38 Pontius Pilate asks Jesus "What is truth?" Pilate isn't really looking for an answer. He didn't care what Christ had to say. He was challenging whether or not there really is such a thing as truth. I opened my sermon on Sunday sharing the same question, but for me it was more of a concern. I am concerned that we have moved everything in our lives to the realm of situational ethics. In that case, if we are the center of the universe, if the world revolves around us, then the truth is what ever suits our selfish needs. That can't be good.

Let me suggest that when we decide to become followers of Jesus Christ there is a center of truth that is universal and forever. I've found that there are 4 layers of truth for the follower of Christ. To hear the full sermon on this click here.

Here's a synopsis of those four layers:
HONESTY- Proverbs 12:22 says, "The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are truthful." God cannot lie. It is not a part of who God is. There is no motivation. God owns all, created all, has all, and needs nothing. If we are going to imitate Christ, the human image of God, we must seek honesty in all that we say.
INTEGRITY- Honesty is about what you say, but integrity takes another step. It’s about follow through. Jesus says in Matthew 5:37 "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Keeping promises. Doing what you say you’ll do. These are the evidence of integrity.
ACCOUNTABILITY- Paul says in Ephesians 4:15 – "Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. Accountability means speaking truth into the life of a friend. Holding them accountable to live according to God's truth. Make clear that you are asking the question, “Is this the message that Christ wants me to bring to my friend?”
PROPHETIC JUSTICE - This higher level of truth unites God’s passion for a world with injustice, suffering and poverty with your willingness to be used by God to make a vocal and operable call for a change. This is when you search your heart, your prayer life, and the scriptures to discern what God is passionate about and then you speak in word and deed. This is the place where you take action against poverty, bigotry, hate, and violence.