Truth Telling?

How do we know who is telling the truth?

Our legal system assumes that people are innocent until proved guilty, and the trial process is supposed to be able to prove, beyond reasonable doubt, where the truth lies

Moscow police have arrested 3 men over the acid attack on the Artistic Director of the Bolshoi Ballet. They have apparently signed confessions. Were they telling the truth, or was that information extracted by unfair means?

In child abuse cases, there has always been a dilemma over working out who is telling the truth - the alleged victim or the alleged abuser?

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, will speak about this today.

Jesus spoke about the truth, and the effect it has on us. 'Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8.31-32) 

People who receive what Jesus says, as the truth, discover that that lights have been turned on in many directions. They know the truth about God, themselves, their identity and destiny. Discover or uncovering the truth is wonderfully liberating.

And St. Paul teaches us that with our new identity, we should be those who naturally (or supernaturally) tell the truth. 'Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.  In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.' (Colossians 3.9-11) Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ has a radical effect on how we should behave. Lies and cover ups should have no place. Innuendo and multiple identities are a thing of the past. So what do we talk about? 'Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.' (Colossians 3.16-17)

We speak and listen as a representative of the Lord Jesus.

That is a wonderful idea to take with us throughout today. You can live as a representative of the Lord Jesus!

Best wishes,

Richard