GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: John 17:17

In the Reality TV show called The Republican Primary, business mogul Donald Trump has been calling Texas Senator Ted Cruz “Lying Ted.”

I haven’t done any fact checking on those charges, but do you think that is fair? The answer reminds me of this old joke. “How can you tell when a politician is lying?”

Answer? When his lips are moving!

Professional political fact checker, Angie Holan, wrote in the New York Times, “All politicians lie. Some lie more than others.” And her research indicated that was true of both Republicans and Democrats. And that included Trump who was one of the worse!

However, we can find assurance in one source where the promises are truthful. 100% believable. Accurate. Free from any error. Jesus affirms such in his prayer to the Father prior to His crucifixion.

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

This great verse contains two important affirmations.

(1) God’s Word is Truth. It is unchanging. Unbending. Unbowed.

Today’s culture, however, looks at truth as being “relative.” It says, “What is truth for me, may not be truth for you. And what truth is for you, may not be truth for me” This philosophy can be summed up in two words: “No Absolutes!”

This philosophy spouts off phrases like “It doesn’t matter what you believe (or do) as long as you’re honest and sincere.” “It says there are no absolute truths in life.” Of course, this is ridiculous! That statement in itself is an absolute!

Our post-modern culture values tolerance more than truth. Anyone who stands for truth is said to be “judgmental.” Accused of being intolerant.” And even a hater! Of course, the definition of “tolerance” has changed. At one time tolerance was respecting people with whom we disagree and treating them with dignity and respect. Now “tolerance” means that every idea is equally valid, equally true, and every life style is equally right. Not matter how bizarre it is!

I don’t know who coined the phrase, but our age suffers from “truth decay.” Modern culture doesn’t value truth, it values convenience. Ease. Self-gratification. Folks today ask, “It is easy?” “Does it work?” “Is it right for you?” If so, it must be accepted. That’s pragmatism! Not truth.

Like the Gentiles in the ancient world our society has “exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator….” (Rom. 1:25)

We need a call back to Truth.

(2) We are sanctified by the Truth.

The word “sanctify” is akin to the word “holy.” Christians are to be consecrated to Christ. Dr. Thayer says it means “to be separate from things profane.” Sanctification is about our spiritual identity.

Jesus says that our sanctification is found in and based on God’s Truth. Furthermore, sanctification requires spiritual cleansing and produces justification in Christ. When the Corinthians heard the gospel, believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8), Paul says they were sanctified.

When problems arose in the Corinthian church, Paul reminded them of the change from their past life. “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor 6:10). When we believe, embrace and obey truth we can have our souls purified, our consciences clean and our  hearts right with God.

Christians should be reminded more than ever during this election year that the solution to our problems, our real problems in this country cannot be resolved with political promises and secular solutions.

Our biggest problems are spiritual. They can only be addressed by a call back to Truth. And by a personal decision by each person to be sanctified.

While the world rejects and scoffs at such a solution, may Christians hold ever tighter to the unfailing promises of God, who cannot lie.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman