What Is Truth? # 1

What Is Truth? # 1

A young man had fallen into loose moral habits, and was living a wild and sinful life. Late hours were frequent with him, and he would pay no regard to the remonstrances of a Christian father. Eleven and twelve o'clock would strike, and still the young man would keep the parents up waiting for his return. At last it came to a point. The father told his son that he must either leave his house - or conform to rules.

He followed his old ways, went into lodgings, and was rather pleased to be free from the restraint he felt at home. After a while he picked up some young companions who professed infidel opinions, and soon, like them, he even scoffed at religion and made light of all his parents had taught him.

But the prayers of his father and mother followed him, and in a remarkable way were abundantly answered. One night the young fellow lay awake and began to think. "I tell people," said he to himself, "that there is no truth in the Bible. But there must be truth somewhere, and if not there, where is it? I wonder what the Bible says about truth."

In this way he was led to go to the Scriptures, and he sought out every passage where truth is spoken of. He little anticipated the result. No doubt through the guidance of the Spirit of Truth, he saw everything in a new light. The Bible became its own witness. It so took hold of him that he was persuaded that it was the very Word of the Living God. Not only so, but he was convinced of the evil of his past life. He saw plainly his ingratitude to his parents and his sin against God. He was led to see Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life - and his whole future was the very reverse of his former course.

The story brings home to us two great lessons. It shows, on the one hand, the very close connection that exists between loose and immoral habits - and infidel views. While, no doubt, there are not a few unbelievers whose lives are free from any great vice - yet it is no less true that if a young man goes wrong, it is very convenient to lull his conscience to sleep and cast off all fear by saying to himself that "The Bible is a lie!"

On the other hand, we see that God's Word shines by its own light. It often so speaks to the heart and conscience, that a man cannot escape from the conviction of its truth. "It bears upon its face, its own calm, bright, immutable aspect, the aspect of more than human honesty, more than angel knowledge - the aspect of Divine truth."

"What is truth?" Christ has answered this question. He has said, "Your Word is truth" (John 17:17). This had reference to the Old Testament Scriptures. No less is it true of the whole inspired volume. I will mention a few thoughts as to the truth and inspiration of the Bible which have strengthened my own faith, and have enabled me with increasing confidence to rest upon it, as a rock which can never be shaken.

I see more and more in Holy Scriptures, a perfect adaptability to the various ills of mankind.

A friend went into one of our lock factories, and he was shown upwards of a hundred locks. He was told that none of the keys would open any of the locks, except the particular one for which it was made. But then a master-key was shown to him, and this would open any of the hundred locks.

I believe Holy Scripture is like that master-key! There are myriads of human hearts, with various sins, temptations, sorrows, cares, and fears - but the Bible is fitted alike to each and all. It points out the remedy for every form of misery and evil - it leaves no heart and no trouble without some balm suited for its need.

Or look at it in another light.

A child receives a letter from a father in a distant country. But someone suggests that this letter is a forgery; it is written by someone else, and not by the father. But if the child not only recognizes the father's handwriting, but finds in the letter that every matter connected with those he has left behind is accurately known by the writer and the best suggestions made for meeting difficulties or guarding against some danger in the home - will not assure the child that the letter was not written by a stranger, but was indeed the kind and thoughtful letter of a beloved parent? 

Holy Scripture is our Father's love letter to His redeemed children. We may trace the handwriting. The spirit of truth, holiness, and love is seen all through. We mark that He knows and provides for the needs of every one in His large family. There are warnings to caution us against every form of sin, however subtle. There is consolation provided for every one of the manifold varieties of human woe. Hunger and need, pain and suffering, anxieties about the future, disappointments, losses, bereavements - not one of these evils, or any other, but we find some appropriate solace, some heavenly promise,  that can lift the heart of the believer above it. Who could so completely have provided for every need - but He who made man and knows the hearts of those whom He has made?

~George Everard~

(continued with # 2)