ChristMyLife.org - Truth or truth, Faith or sight, Humility or pride

As followers of Christ we typically enjoy speaking with each other about scriptural truths. We rightly understand that the Bible is God's definitive communication to us of that which we need to know. We cannot know the Truth apart from an understanding of the written (or spoken) word of Scripture. As we discuss and think about the truths of Scripture, we must ask whether we miss the whole point, even while spending large amounts of time carefully studying and seeking to apply the truths. Do we truly grow and mature in our faith by mastering the truths of the Bible? Is a mastery of truths of scripture and an ability to recall particular Bible verses the key to spiritual "success"? I think we are greatly mistaken if we believe that spiritual growth is largely the result of growing in scriptural knowledge.

This philosophy which assumes knowledge is a key to spiritual growth, which I think is common in Christian circles, leads to church ministries and personal habits focused on acquiring more and better "truth". Our large church gatherings focus around a sermon from the scripture. If we attend a smaller group on a Sunday as well, these are typically focused on acquiring more knowledge on a subject from a teacher. Beyond this, if we have a smaller group meeting during the week, it is quite likely a Bible Study, which focuses yet again on the acquisition of knowledge and information. If you meet with other believers and talk about "spiritual things" isn't it most likely talking about some truth of scripture? As you read this description you may not see any problem, but there is something, or rather someone, who is prominently absent. Christ and the Truth play a very small role in all these things, if they are present at all. It is not that we aren't seeking to exalt Christ in our worship or that we aren't studying about Him, but that Christ and the Truth have become separated, which leaves us with only the truth, which is quite worthless.

One thing I have been learning over the past few months is the difference between the Truth and the truth. The Truth is found in Christ while the truth is found outside of Christ. The truth is apart from Christ, which includes any Bible "truth" which is apart from Christ. We can acquire much truth from the Bible, but we can know the Truth only as we know Christ. We can enjoy discussing the truth with other believers, but the joy of the Truth is only found in Christ.

Why do I go to such great lengths to make a distinction between the Truth and the truth? First, let me define my terms. Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6). He didn't say He knows the complete truth or that He can give us all truth. He said I am the Truth. This is a radical and profound concept which is in direct contrast to Western thinking and the general thinking of Christians as well. We think of truth as something we can know and understand by ourselves and in our own strength. We think we can posses truth apart from anyone or anything else. We learn truth from outside sources, but it is something we can "carry around" and have ourselves. This is completely false. This is not True. This is not the Truth.

If you understand where I am coming from you can see that the statement, "The truth is only from Christ", while seemingly correct, is completely false. How can this statement be false? The Truth cannot be separated from Christ. The Truth does not come from Christ. The Truth is in Christ. We cannot posses the Truth apart from possessing Christ. This is a most important distinction. To separate the Truth from Christ is to take away the very essence of the Truth. I cannot posses the Truth apart from Christ. The Truth and Christ are always together and are inseparable. A more correct understanding is that if I am in Christ and Christ is in me, the Truth is there as well, as it is something is which is found in Christ alone.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 4:14 NIV)

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. (1 Corinthians 2:1-4 NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3 NIV)

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. (Colossians 2:2-4 NIV)

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 2:2 NIV)

truth tries to think and do the right thing.

Truth abides in Christ.

truth studies Scripture to learn how to live.

Truth studies Scripture to learn more of Christ to draw deeper into the Life.

truth enjoys Scripture as an end in itself.

Truth understands that Scripture points to Christ.

truth searches the Scripture to try to find the answer for life's struggles and questions.

Truth knows and rests in the Life.

truth is an endless quest for more knowledge, more truth and the latest ideas and books on spiritual matters, "All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas." (Acts 17:21 NIV)

Truth is completely and fully satisfied in Christ and only seeks to know more of Christ and draw deeper into Him, "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV)

Let me be clear that knowing and seeking after the Truth does not mean we do not diligently study the Scripture. Knowing the Truth means we study Scripture in the light of the Truth. We see Christ in the Word because He is the Word.

There are two other elements which go along with the truth which I see in my life and I'm sure is reflected in your life as well. One is sight, in contrast to Faith, and the other is pride, in contrast to Humility. If I am proud, which we all are naturally, I will seek to find the answers to my problems in an understanding of the truth of Scripture. By my own sight I must figure things out, rather than by Faith trusting the Truth; " We live by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV). Humility rests in the complete sufficiency of Christ, while pride trusts in the sufficiency of self; "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6b NIV) . We can be very religious and full of truth and yet be very proud. We don't have to boast to fellow believers to be proud. If we are not completely dependent on Christ for our every breath and thought then we are proud. We actually deny we really need Christ because most of us falsely project the image to fellow believers that we have it all together and do not struggle with anything. You may have never thought of it this way, but I would guess you are actually a very proud person, regardless what other believers may think of you and what you think of yourself.

pride takes joy in understanding and talking about the truth.

Humility rejoices in the Truth (Christ).

truth, sight and pride only move forward when everything is figured out and makes sense to us (trusting ourselves).

Truth, Faith and Humility move forward in obedience to Christ, without reasoning things out, but trusting and relying on Christ.

truth is passed on from person to person.

Truth cannot be passed on from person to person, but is only obtained through a personal revelation of Jesus Christ.

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ,the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 16:16-17 NIV)

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent,nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:12-13 NIV)

sight and pride will not speak a word which might "offend" anyone.

Faith and Humility will speak the Truth boldly as God leads; not with the intention to offend, but in obedience to Christ.

sight and pride offer a watered down truth because they speak only things which they think people can handle.

Faith and Humility boldly speaks what God wants people to hear, not what we think they need to hear.

pride is concerned about what others think.

Humility is born of one who has died to self and exults only in Christ, regardless of what others think.

truth, sight and pride cannot accomplish anything more than that which can be explained away by human effort or that which can be duplicated by any other religion.

Truth, Faith and Humility accomplish more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)

pride and truth seek after methods, plans and formulas to live the Christian life.

Humility and Truth know all things are accomplished in the power of Christ.

truth, sight and pride struggle with prayer. Prayer is not natural to this way of living.

Truth, Faith and Humility live in a dependence on Christ and naturally "prays without ceasing".

truth rejects Truth.

Truth rejects truth.

truth doesn't see the difference between the truth and the Truth.

Truth is not satisfied nor is it content with the truth.

pride blinds us to the Truth.

Humility draws us to into the truth.

truth only leads to more truth.

Truth brings forth more Life.

truth, pride and sight seeks to influence people in the abundance of ideas and words (this convicts me as I write these words. Am I resting in the truth or the Truth?)

Truth, Humility and Faith trusts in the moving of the Holy Spirit and the power of Christ to transform people's lives.

truth will read this article and say, "this is all very interesting and thought provoking" and continue on with no life change looking only to acquire more truth through books, articles, teachings and sermons.

Truth will read this article and will be led and encouraged to know Him, in whom is all Truth.

This article will soon be forgotten by all who read it. Seekers of the truth will forget it because they will move on and fill their minds with other truths. Seekers of the Truth will forget it as they see these words pointing to Christ. They will drawn into Him, not looking at the words, but looking to Him alone.

May we seek only the Truth.

I am indebted to the articles on the www.theschoolofchrist.org website for the greater understanding of the Truth which am just beginning to grasp, as well as brothers in Christ who encourage me in these matters. The articles on that website on the subject of Christ (click on "Read") will challenge your heart. I also am challenged and encouraged by the daily email with short excerpts from the articles (click on "Join").

October, 2005

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