TRAMPLED TRUTH

From My Perspective - - - 

A television program, To Tell The Truth, aired from 1956-1968. The object of the program was to have a Panel determine who was telling the truth in one’s presentation. The promotional for the program stated: “Classic game show in which a person of some notoriety and two impostors try to match wits with a panel of four celebrities. The object of the game is to try to fool the celebrities into voting for the two impostors. Each wrong vote would be worth $250 ($100 in the daytime version).” The program was designed to allow for 30 minutes of fun and good humor. 

Today, we live in a culture where it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine and measure Truth. It seems obvious that there is a disconnect between political speech and and dictionary definition of terms and words used or spoken. In public discourse and in the public squares, it appears that truth is not longer viewed as an asset or priority. Words and statements are bandied about as though they have no consequence at all. However, for whatever reason, be it naiveté or gullibility, people become easily deceived and believe the rhetoric rather than discernible facts. Sadly, this is one of the reasons why there is rioting in several cities at the present time.

A Blog is incapable of dealing with this subject in a detailed manner. There are some Scriptural references that address the times in which we live. The first is Psalm 11:3, the Psalmist David wrote: “In the Lord I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain; For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” David is doing two things in this Psalm. He notes his place of safety and refuge in the Lord. However, he also is aware of the perils of his day, when he wrote about the wicked bending the bow to shoot their arrows in the darkness at the upright in heart. He also note that the foundations have begun to erode and are ready to be destroyed. He then asks: “What can the righteous do?” The obvious answer is to maintain his focus in the Lord and to abide in His refuge and sure defense.

There is another situation in which a prophet of God observes and writes. One gets the sense of the times by reading Isaiah 59:13-15 (one should read the entire chapter), “Transgressing and denying the Lord, and turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving in and uttering from the heart lying words. Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the street, and uprightness cannot enter. Yes, truth is lacking; and he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey. Now the Lord saw, and it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice.” The MSG paraphrases verse 14-15, “Truth staggers down the street, Honesty is nowhere to be found, Good is missing in action. Anyone renouncing evil is beaten and robbed.” This could almost be a description in the daily news reports across America and elsewhere in the world.

Isaiah 59 also addresses the fact that the Incarnation will be necessitated in order for Truth, Justice, Civility and Righteousness can and will be restored. In the life of Jesus Christ, Truth was at the center of His message. Because it was, the negative reaction of various people-groups surfaced. They were content with their version of events and lifestyle. It is ironic that John 14:6 records the words of Jesus, “I am the way the Truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” This issue arises once again when Jesus is standing before Pilate. John 18:37-38 records this exchange: Jesus said, “Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice. Pilate said, What is truth?” Pilate asked the incorrect question. It should’ve been: Who is the truth? If he had done so, he might have discovered the truth that would provide him with everlasting life. Consider these things with me!