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Truth is not a concept, but the person of Jesus
Church in the Community - Media Release in the Herald: 12 June 2023
Source: TCN / Melody Peters
Date Added: 2023-06-12
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Moral Regeneration,
Date Added: 2023-06-12
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Moral Regeneration,
During a recent philosophy class, I watched the students navigate through a shift in society, namely into the “post-truth” era.
This raised the question “What is truth?”.
What followed was a lengthy and fascinating discussion around the concept of truth, the view of subjective truth, and the fear of disregarding what someone else might consider as truth.
Since this class took place in an academic environment, the aim was not to determine a firm answer to the question, but rather to develop critical thinking skills in our youth.
After that class, I reflected on how that very question, ‘’What is truth?’’ changed my life 20 years ago when I was a student.
The answer for me is “Jesus”. This answer was unexpected and transformed the question itself.
For truth was no longer a concept but a person and “what is truth?” became “who is truth?”
In finding the truth, I also found my way, and indeed my life.
For these last 20 years the question of truth has been settled in my heart.
The global church is bonded by individuals who have come to know the truth and the person of Jesus who sets us free.
As of late, I along with some others, have been grappling with the concept of truth once more.
We have been reflecting on our capacity as Christians to hold unswervingly to the truth that once set us free.
This has led me to revisit some lessons from my past.
I experienced challenging times as a missionary in Asia where I spent 10 years.
During those times, I would weep whenever reading Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1, because of his own troubles in Asia.
There were times when discerning truth during troubled times was difficult.
Other times the difficulty was holding on to truth amidst social and cultural pressures to conform.
During that time, I knew a shift had to take place if I wanted to overcome my challenges.
“Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith,” remained pivotal through it all.
I learnt that fixing my eyes on Jesus means stepping out of my immediate reality and into God’s truth.
The book of Colossians says that Jesus has the supremacy in all things and that in him all things hold together.
Therefore, I must trust that I am included in the ‘all’ and that Jesus holds my life and my church together.
To fix my eyes on Jesus means looking to God to hold me securely when the harsh realities of life hit.
The book of Hebrews says that Jesus sustains everything by his powerful word.
This means that I must trust that I am included in the “everything” and He is sustaining every part of my life.
It has been five years since my return to South Africa.
The joy of being home has also been marked by the ongoing drought, confusing local politics, and headlines of senseless killings in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Recently, a news headline hit close to home, and I had to remind myself that while circumstances can seem dire, that fixing my eyes on Jesus, can shift my perspective from the gloomy reality.
The promises of His presence, peace, protection, and provision abound in scripture and are key to gaining fresh perspectives, not only for us, but also for the broader church and the communities in which we live.
The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth and said that, as believers, we are being changed into the likeness of Christ.
The Gospel accounts are filled with Jesus encountering everyday people, touching and changing their lives.
He never wavered in holding to and communicating the truth to all who crossed his path and if we are to be like him, we need to do the same.
The disciple John shares how Jesus came full of truth and grace. For just as he walked in unwavering truth, he also walked with grace abounding for those around him.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus leads to learning from him, to live in truth and grace.
I have found that in this post-truth era, fixing my eyes on Jesus has reminded me that grace does not replace truth but rather accompanies it.
In discussing truth and grace, many people have shared aspirations with me of becoming missionaries.
My response has often been to ask them whether they have been missionaries where they currently live.
The Christian life is about Jesus and embodying his truth and grace wherever we are, whether it leads to us to crossing the street to our neighbour in need or traveling to the other side of the world.
Melody Peters
is an experienced teacher and missionary and holds a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology. She facilitates informational talks and workshops to groups on wellness and stress management.
This raised the question “What is truth?”.
What followed was a lengthy and fascinating discussion around the concept of truth, the view of subjective truth, and the fear of disregarding what someone else might consider as truth.
Since this class took place in an academic environment, the aim was not to determine a firm answer to the question, but rather to develop critical thinking skills in our youth.
After that class, I reflected on how that very question, ‘’What is truth?’’ changed my life 20 years ago when I was a student.
The answer for me is “Jesus”. This answer was unexpected and transformed the question itself.
For truth was no longer a concept but a person and “what is truth?” became “who is truth?”
In finding the truth, I also found my way, and indeed my life.
For these last 20 years the question of truth has been settled in my heart.
The global church is bonded by individuals who have come to know the truth and the person of Jesus who sets us free.
As of late, I along with some others, have been grappling with the concept of truth once more.
We have been reflecting on our capacity as Christians to hold unswervingly to the truth that once set us free.
This has led me to revisit some lessons from my past.
I experienced challenging times as a missionary in Asia where I spent 10 years.
During those times, I would weep whenever reading Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1, because of his own troubles in Asia.
There were times when discerning truth during troubled times was difficult.
Other times the difficulty was holding on to truth amidst social and cultural pressures to conform.
During that time, I knew a shift had to take place if I wanted to overcome my challenges.
“Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith,” remained pivotal through it all.
I learnt that fixing my eyes on Jesus means stepping out of my immediate reality and into God’s truth.
The book of Colossians says that Jesus has the supremacy in all things and that in him all things hold together.
Therefore, I must trust that I am included in the ‘all’ and that Jesus holds my life and my church together.
To fix my eyes on Jesus means looking to God to hold me securely when the harsh realities of life hit.
The book of Hebrews says that Jesus sustains everything by his powerful word.
This means that I must trust that I am included in the “everything” and He is sustaining every part of my life.
It has been five years since my return to South Africa.
The joy of being home has also been marked by the ongoing drought, confusing local politics, and headlines of senseless killings in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Recently, a news headline hit close to home, and I had to remind myself that while circumstances can seem dire, that fixing my eyes on Jesus, can shift my perspective from the gloomy reality.
The promises of His presence, peace, protection, and provision abound in scripture and are key to gaining fresh perspectives, not only for us, but also for the broader church and the communities in which we live.
The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth and said that, as believers, we are being changed into the likeness of Christ.
The Gospel accounts are filled with Jesus encountering everyday people, touching and changing their lives.
He never wavered in holding to and communicating the truth to all who crossed his path and if we are to be like him, we need to do the same.
The disciple John shares how Jesus came full of truth and grace. For just as he walked in unwavering truth, he also walked with grace abounding for those around him.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus leads to learning from him, to live in truth and grace.
I have found that in this post-truth era, fixing my eyes on Jesus has reminded me that grace does not replace truth but rather accompanies it.
In discussing truth and grace, many people have shared aspirations with me of becoming missionaries.
My response has often been to ask them whether they have been missionaries where they currently live.
The Christian life is about Jesus and embodying his truth and grace wherever we are, whether it leads to us to crossing the street to our neighbour in need or traveling to the other side of the world.
Melody Peters
is an experienced teacher and missionary and holds a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology. She facilitates informational talks and workshops to groups on wellness and stress management.
Source: TCN / Melody Peters
Date Added: 2023-06-12
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Moral Regeneration,
Back to News IndexDate Added: 2023-06-12
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Moral Regeneration,
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