The following post is Part Three of a five-part series about discipleship from Locking Arms Director Leo Wisniewski. You can check out the other parts here: Part One, Part Two
Director Leo Wisniewski:
Truth
Truth is the magnetic north that sets the compass of our lives as disciples of Jesus. Truth cannot be known apart from Christ and his Word. We have fallen greatly in our post-modern culture due to our rejection of a knowable, universal truth for all people. Post-moderns are those born after 1984 but this term also refers to a pervasive mindset in our culture shared by a vast majority of Americans regardless of age. Jesus discussion with Pilate just before his public execution reflected a very similar cultural relativism. Jesus said to Pilate, “Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” Pilate responded, “What is truth?” (John 18:37-38) Two truths are revealed in this exchange. The followers of Christ are born of God’s truth (John 4:24) and they will discern his voice to them. The second point not to miss here is the relativism or more accurately the philosophical pluralism reflected in Pilate’s deep cynicism. This view that truth is merely a personal vantage point and does not exist in a universal sense is widely accepted today as an absolute.
At the Passover in the upper room with his disciples Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the life, no one comes unto the Father except through me.” John 14:6 The life of grace he invites us to experience runs straight through the cross. Knowing the Father is only possible through the Cross of Christ and his physical, bodily resurrection (Rom. 6:4-5). The truth of God’s grace for us is revealed in Christ and the Cross. They are inseparable just like Christ and the gospel since his mission is so closely linked to his identity as Savior (Jesus- the Lord saves) and Messiah (Christ-anointed one). The Cross and the gospel is the centerpiece of God’s work for all eternity. We can never exhaust the treasure of grace and truth revealed in them. Remember Jesus words in praying for the disciples and all those who would follow as a result of their witness, “Sanctify them Father by thy truth, thy word is truth.” John 17:17 We can glimpse shadows of truth revealed in creation (science) and other world religions that point us to an Intelligent Designer of the universe but only through the scripture will we find God himself revealed to us. Jesus said…”If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 Sin will always blind us from the true knowledge of God until the work of regeneration. Through the inspired and inerrant Word of God we will cherish the treasure of the gospel and gain the equipping needed for a lifetime of service (II Tim. 3:16-17). The Holy Spirit, who was promised by Jesus to be sent to the church, makes us alive by the new birth and is called the Spirit of truth (John 14:15-17). His job description is to be our sanctifier, to make us holy as the bride of Christ. Jesus stated that the Spirit will lead us into all truth, an essential part of our sanctification. David recognized God’s great desire that we long after truth when he said, “You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part you will make me know wisdom.” Psalm 51:6
Are you a truth-seeker? Are you growing in your love of God’s word? Are you hiding it in your heart?
Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you in your innermost being? Are you acting in obedience on what you are told?
Contact Leo Wisniewski leo@lockingarmsmen.org to respond to this post and with any questions you may have. Check out our Huddles Page to get plugged in with one of our groups that meet regularly around the city!