Loving the Truth (2)

Read the Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 112

True Christianity is grounded on the truth and trustworthiness of the written Word of God. The Bible has no errors. “Thy Word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). It is a reliable guide for every need. Spirit-applied truth through God’s Word is critical for Christian doctrine, experience, and living. Martin Luther once wrote, “Peace if possible, but truth at any rate.”

Truth is also the cement of all societal life. It is the foundation of all forms of knowledge which function in daily life. Truth is essential for mutual trust in family life, judicial law, business decisions, and international cooperation. In all areas of life at home, church, school, and work, we need truth. Scrap truth, and what do we have left?

Sadly, contemporary society is increasingly abandoning truth and truth-telling. Lying for convenience sake has become a norm. Recently I read that more than 60% of North American college students admitted having cheated on exams in school.

Such figures must concern us. The church does not escape worldly norms. As young people, you are peculiarly susceptible to the spirit of our age and pressures from peers.

“But how must I withstand peer pressure?” you ask.

I answer, “Understand its strength. Be true to God and your conscience. Retreat is not defeat. Don’t forget that inner thoughts of friends often contradict their outward disapproval. And remember these truths: A real friend seeks your welfare. Long-term happiness means more than short-term pleasure. God’s blessing and eternity are far more important than persecution. Above all, pray for strength to follow Daniel’s example. Dare to stand alone. Dare to lead rather than to be led.”

Dear young friend, are you presently pursuing truth? I can promise you it is a worthy pursuit. Thomas Brooks confessed, “Every parcel of truth is precious as the filings of gold; we must either live with it, or die for it.” John Hus sealed these words with his blood, “Search the truth, hear truth, learn truth, love truth, speak the truth, hold the truth till death.”

You cannot overvalue sanctified truth in your youth. Truth will stand you in good stead. It is strong even when it appears weak, just as falsehood is weak even when it appears strong. Especially in your critical teen years, God invites you to “buy the truth and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23).

“Keep the truth,” wrote William Bridge, “and the truth will keep you.”

I hope you are asking: “But how and where can I learn truth and truth-telling?”

My answer is simple: “Only in bowing at the feet of Jesus Christ, who said, ‘Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart.’”

Pray to experience the truth of God’s saving grace in your heart. Pray for genuine repentance for sins committed against the ninth commandment. Seek grace to come to God with brokenness of heart, to find forgiveness with Him who is to be feared (Ps. 130:4) and who is Truth.

— JRB

Scripture Reading: Psalm 130

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