How would a person know if he or she were deceived? How would one know if the beliefs thought to be true were false or visa versa – beliefs thought to be false were actually true? It would depend on one’s worldview, which is influenced by variables such as culture, religion, gender, education, experiences (good and bad) and much more. Through this filter new possibilities can be tested to see if they can be trusted. From a biblical perspective, dogmatic statements such as when Jesus states,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by Me.”
John 14:6
John 14:6 answers the question. Is truth relative or absolute? If one claims to be a Christian, then it cannot be relative. It is the person of Jesus Christ, and He is progressively revealed as we see in the book of “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rf Rev 1:1). The Early Church Fathers (prior to 325 AD) understood the Scriptures based on the interpretation taught to them by the Apostles of Jesus. They understood that the Scriptures were spiritual – that there is a deeper meaning or understanding beyond a literal or historical reading of the Bible. Possibly the most famous verse of the Bible, even to non-Christians, is John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
In Hebraic thought, every name speaks of character and function. Thus, Jesus (whose name means savior) is also the “Truth” who saves. Jesus commands us,
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect”
Matthew 5:48
This was a Scripture Jesus referenced from the Old Testament which said,
“let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God…”
1 Kings 8:61
Thus, perfection cannot be relative because Truth is perfect. So, how do I know if I am achieving perfection or at least moving in the right direction? The Apostle Paul, a Jewish convert to Christianity, understood the process. In his letter to the Romans Christians he says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”(Rf Rom 12:2). There is the word “perfect” again. What does it really mean? The Greek word for perfect is teleios; according to the Thayer Bible Dictionary it means:
- brought to its end, finished
- wanting nothing necessary to completeness
- perfect
- that which is perfect
- consummate human integrity and virtue
Jesus said to be perfect like your Father in heaven, with “consummate human integrity and virtue”. Meaning, become the perfect “image” of God. How? The answer is to learn what the Apostle Paul instructed, so that our understanding can become like God’s understanding. He made us to be like Him (Rf Genesis 1:26). However, all of humanity fell into a delusion through the fall of Adam. That is why Jesus came – to show us the way back to perfection or Truth. For those who don’t want the Truth, they’ll get to keep the delusion; but it grows to become a “strong delusion”.
Listen, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie”.
2 Thessalonians 2:10 & 11, emphasis applied
A love for Truth removes the lie. When the Truth is inside of a person it will save their soul. Here is how the Amplified Bible puts it:
“So, get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]”.
James 1:21 & 22 – AMP
Without Truth, the vaccine injuries are piling up, Sudden Adult Death syndrome mysteriously appears, elite athletes are dying, children can be euthanized without parental consent, elections are stolen, human trafficking descends into billions of dollars, the breaching of the border wall from the inside expands; not to mention the war on our moral core, freedom of expression and constitution. What is the solution? Truth!
“So, Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, if you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free”.
John 8:31 & 32 – AMP
What are they to be freed from? The mental illness of the “strong delusion”! Let us receive the Medicine of Truth and heal the world.
Until next time,
Shalom.
References:
- New King James version of the Bible
- Amplified version of the Bible
- Thayer’s Greek Bible Dictionary, perfect/teleios