Jesus is the way the truth and the life (John 14: 6). In the same way the word of Jesus is also the truth (John 17: 17). To walk in God’s way means to walk in truth. In Psalm 86: 11, the prayer of the Psalmist is this “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth”. “I have chosen the way of truth” (Psalm 119: 30). Truth means God itself. ‘Bagath Satyam Jagath Midya’ is what is said in the Upanishad. God alone is the truth. Chandogya Upanishad has separated the word ‘sathyam’ into its components and has given meaning to each of its parts. ‘Sathyam’ consists of three letters ‘sa’, ‘thi’ and ‘yam’. ‘Sa’ is immortality, ‘thi’ is dying and ‘yam’ is a combination of both. So the one who knows ‘yam’ attains the eternal heaven. In short we understand truth to be a way of God to attain salvation.
The Hebrew word for truth is ‘Emet’. ‘Aleph’, ‘Mem’ and ‘Tav’ are the first, middle and last letters of the alphabet. That one who was, is and is to come ( Isaiah 44: 6; 41: 4; Exodus 3: 14). Since God is truth (Romans 3:4) God’s word is also the truth (John 17: 1; Psalm 19: 9; 119: 160; Daniel 8: 26, 10: 1, 21). Jesus came to testify to the truth is what he said to Pilate (John 18: 37). “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8: 31, 32). The other word of God is truth.
1. Believe in Christ, the Truth (John 17: 6- 19)
Eternal life is attained by believing in Christ who is the truth (John 20: 31). Like how it is important to believe in Christ it is equally important to believe in Christ’s words, for God’s word is the truth (John 17: 17). It is through this word that we are sanctified. The first step to Christianity is to believe in Christ.
2. Believe in the Word, the Truth (Psalm 119: 89- 96, Exodus 34: 1-9)
The second step to a Christian life is to stand on the foundation of the true Word of God because God’s word stands firm in the heavens (Psalm 119: 89). God gave His word to Moses (Exodus 34: 1-9). Moses gave it to the people of God. It is through the word of God that we should grow. This is the work that is deeply rooted and is built on the rock (Luke 6: 48).
3. Grow in Christ, the Truth (Ephesians 4: 7- 16)
Those who believe in Christ should grow in him. In a Christian life there is an experience of growth- growing up to him who is the head (Ephesians 4: 15). A growth is necessary in a spiritual life (Galatians 4: 1; Hebrews 5: 11 -14). God has given various ministries to the Church to grow in the true Christ – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4: 11). Thus through the fellowship in Church we should continually grow in Christ’s love.