Commitment to the truth

Becoming a Christian, in the sense of entering into a personal relationship with the living Christ, is but the beginning of a journey. It can be a painful process as we learn to open up our lives more and more to the light of his truth. However, the rewards are incalculable, both for ourselves and others who may also begin the journey as a result of our decision. Jesus said that if we obeyed him, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). You will find that as God transforms you from within, then your understanding of truth will grow. Character and spiritual understanding are inextricably linked in the Bible. John says, "When we love others, we know that we belong to the truth, and we feel at ease in the presence of God"(1 John 3:19).

One of the great advantages of being a Christian is that you don't have to avoid truth, wherever it may be found. There is no need to explain things away. It fits all the evidence - evidence that comes to us from science regarding the structure of the universe;* evidence from the nature of human beings, their capacity for both great good and great evil; evidence from history, particularly that relating to the remarkable life, teaching and influence of Jesus Christ; evidence from the lives of millions who have claimed to have met this Christ and whose lives have been transformed as a result. Francis Schaeffer, one of the leading Christian thinkers of the past generation, was fond of emphasising that there is only one reason to be a Christian - because it is true.

If you have come to the point where you are prepared to begin such a journey, you may find it helpful to pray a prayer something like this:

If you should make this commitment, then start reading through the New Testament, asking God to reveal more of himself and his plans for you. Also, find other Christians with whom you feel comfortable and who can be an encouragement. We grow in our faith more when we do it with others on the same journey. May God grant you that certainty that only comes from knowing him who is Truth.

Some books I have found helpful in exploring the whole issue of truth in today's postmodern world:

Moving Between the Times
by Brian Carrell (The Deepsight Trust, PO Box 87-362, Meadowbank, Auckland, New Zealand, 1998).

The Universe Next Door 
by James W. Sire (Second Edition, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515, 1988).

The Death of Truth 
by Dennis McCallum - General Editor - and others (Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438, 1996).

The New Absolutes 
by William D. Watkins (Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438, 1996).

The Good, the Bad and the Misled 
by Mark Roques with Jim Tickner (Monarch Publications, Broadway House, The Broadway, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1HQ, 1994).

*I have dealt with this in some detail in The Complementary Nature of Science and Christianity.