COMING TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH

COMING TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH

John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? That question has been asked multitudes of times since Pilate asked it. No one is able to give an answer that will satisfy every person or group of believers. It means one thing to some-- another thing to others.

Pilate asked this question in response to a statement Jesus had made to him. John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

I made a specific study of the subject one time, to see if I could find what is hidden from our view when we think of Truth. I had already concluded that it was NOT referring to modes of baptism, the Godhead, nor the basic plan of Salvation. I thought, also, that I could safely rule out the various Prophetic interpretations and teachings that have become threadbare with age and (mis)use. But, What was Jesus referring to when He used the word "truth"?

Was Jesus talking about the same thing that Paul was referring to when he wrote--? II Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Paul used the "epi" word here for "knowledge" (epignosis-- knowledge above knowledge).

Does it take a special "knowledge upon knowledge" to learn The Truth Jesus was referring to? There are so many places in the New Testament where "epignosis" is used that it might seem to indicate that we CANNOT FIND REAL TRUTH when we operate only in the natural wisdom and abilities which we have.

I am convinced that we must get into a higher realm of relationship to Jesus if we are to enjoy many of the things which were purchased for us on Calvary.

Listen to Paul, when he writes to the Ephesian saints: Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may GIVE UNTO YOU the SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE (epignosis-- knowledge upon knowledge) OF HIM: The EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

What did I find when I made the study in search of a better meaning of Truth? I found that TRUTH, as Jesus referred to it, is inseparably linked with GRACE. John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] GRACE and TRUTH came by Jesus Christ. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of GRACE and TRUTH.

It is also linked solidly with the Spirit of God. John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in SPIRIT and in TRUTH: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in SPIRIT and in TRUTH.

TRUTH goes far beyond mere doctrinal beliefs and practices. The secret of understanding TRUTH lies in the fact that it has been CONTRASTED to, of all things, the LAW OF MOSES.

That LAW had no REALITY in it. It had no LIFE in it. It was "make believe", only a model of something which WOULD BE REAL.

The LAW had no mercy, no GRACE in it. Only stern rules and regulations and lifeless ceremonies.

GRACE came in JESUS CHRIST. TRUTH came in JESUS CHRIST. TRUTH is a RELATIONSHIP to God THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. It is REALITY of JESUS IN OUR LIVES.

We can know Him in Spirit and Truth