Truth's Transforming Power

"And the truth shall make you free!"
John 8:32

Paul J. Bucknell

Index
#1 Drifted Away from the Truth
#2 Developing Confidence in the Truth
#3 Being Set Free by the Truth

Developing Confidence in God

We have an unswerving confidence in the truth.

Truth is common

Now, we would expect that if truth is unknown to so many people that the truth would be well hidden. Contrary to our expectation, we find evidence of truth absolutely everywhere.

Truth doesn't change

Truth is the truth. We cannot say, 'Christian truth' as if it exists separate from another system of truths. C.S. Lewis rightly argues, truths are truths for all mankind. We cannot say they benefit some and not another, or that they exist for some and not another.

What are the two ways of knowing the truth?

Since everything the Lord has made is consistent with His character and purpose, we can find elements of God's truth all around us (Mt 5:44-45). Natural revelation and special revelation never contradict each other.
Truth cannot be inconsistent because there is only one God whose person creates truth. We might not be able to fully understand how things work together, but they do. They must (Romans 3:3-5, 7:7, 9:6, 13:1, 15:8).

"Christ did not come to preach any brand new morality....
Really great moral teachers never do
introduce new moralities:
its quacks and cranks
who do that.

As Dr. Johnson said,
"People need to be reminded more
often than they need to be
instructed."

- C.S. Lewis

Natural Revelation

Natural revelation refers to the truths of God we discover in
nature (Psalm 19:1-6).

Creation can not contradict God's person or purpose. Nature can only reflect the wisdom of God. The world is a lesson book. Note how Jesus illustrated truth with parables from nature, and the way God holds us accountable (Rom 1:19-20).

Special Revelation

In special revelation, we learn of God through what He has spoken such as through the Bible, the Word of God (Psalm 19:7-14).

Jesus Christ is the clearest manifestation of truth (John 1:14, 9). And because God's Spirit is in His people, even Christians are a testimony of God's person and truth. Although the Bible was not primarily an archaeological, historical or scientific
textbook, the facts therein are true.

How do we know the truth?

Jesus simply says that when a person walks in God's truth, then he is truly Christ's disciple. He shall know the truth ... (John 8:31). "31 Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine" (John 8:31, NASB).