Jesus answered, “My kingdom belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world)”
or 37 Pilate said to Him, “Then You are a King?” Jesus answered, “You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is Truth?”
or 37 Pilate said to Him, “Then You are a King?” Jesus answered, “You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is Truth?”
What a great question. Pilate didn't say “What is true for you is true for you and what is true for me is true for me”. NO!!!! He wanted to know what “real” truth, “objective” truth, “actual” truth is. There is a truth that is true regardless of who believes it is true or if if NO one believes it is true. I will give you a very simple example. Let's say that you are a musical instructor tasked with teaching your students musical notes (very trivial, simplistic example, but work with me people). Let's say that the first note that you want to teach is “A” sharp. You press the appropriate key on a the readily available keyboard (in front of you) and a clear, “A” sharp is heard. You then ask your students to repeat the exercise. They do as you instruct them (on keyboards provided to them), but some of the students have mistakenly chosen, “C” sharp instead of “A” sharp, but believe that they have selected the right key on the keyboard. They are obviously wrong in their assumption, nevertheless they insist that they have selected the right key and are not willing to hear the fact that they are wrong (have selected the incorrect key). They are sincere in their believe, but sincerely WRONG!!. Regardless of their intentions, regardless of how many people agree with them, or how strong their believe or conviction that they have chosen the correct key, they are still WRONG!!. In fact, if the entire class selected “C” sharp and insisted that it was “A” sharp, it is clear that an expert who knows the difference between “A” Sharp and “C” Sharp could easily point out their error. But in light of our PC, tolerant, non-judgmental, sensitive to others' feelings, “what's true for you is true for you...” society should we decide to let them continue believing the wrong thing? This is very trivial and there really isn't any significant or severe consequences for them continuing to believe that a “C” Sharp is an “A” sharp (unless you consider the fact that no music will be produced until this error is corrected), but what if the context and subject matter involved a life or death situation.
What if a doctor prescribes a medication that will treat you for a fatal condition in not treated with the correct medication. You don't believe that the prescription will cure you, and have elected to take some other prescription that you heard your neighbor's gardener's daughter's, best friends, distant relative in another part of of the world may have had a successful experience with. For some reason, you elect to take this person's word over the doctors. The doctor insists that the prescription you chose will not help your condition, but you continue to believe that it will and disregard what the doctor says. Knowing that you will die if you don't take the medication that the doctor has prescribes, should your family step-in and regardless of what you believe (sincerely, earnestly), they do what ever it takes to ensure that you do get the correct medication and save your life. Should they have allowed you to continue believing incorrectly so as to spare your feelings, and not appear judgmental, “holier than thou”, insensitive, or intolerant? Good question. Objective truth is the only truth and it doesn't change regardless of who chooses to believe in it or if NO one believes in it. Why is this so difficult to understand and grasp? Why are people content remaining in a nebulous, vague state of grayness and uncertainty – believing there is no Black or White positions in a particular situation or area of concern. “What's true for your is true for you and what's true for me is true for me” Neither one of us is wrong and neither one of us will have to suffer, experience, deal with any adverse or negative results, affects or consequences regardless of how we believe or feel about a particular situation or circumstance. This position was not held by Jesus. He believed that there was objective truth and anyone who chose not to submit to the truth did so at their on peril. He did not say, “You are free to believe in and think what ever you like or wish to be true”. He actually informed us of the truth (objective) and let us know what would happen if we chose to ignore or reject the truth. Take note of what he said after he informed us of the greatest gift, message, words, news that man's ear has ever had the privilege to hear, “For God so Greatly LOVED and dearly prized the World (people of all races, creeds, cultures, orientations, conditions, etc.) that He freely and without hesitation [even] gave up (generously, lovingly, sacrificially) His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him (his miraculous birth, perfect life, false judgment, groundless verdict, actual death, and supernatural , acceptable to God, Glorious Resurrection) shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.”
An AWESOME, truthful statement according to Jesus Christ. He believes that this statement is true and because of his belief, he stated severe consequences for those who chose to reject or ignore this truth. This is obviously the case based on what he went on to say...”
“He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation—he incurs no Damnation]; BUT he who does NOT believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence, is under damnation] because he HAS NOT BELIEVED in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.]
The [basis of the] judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this: the Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil.
For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved.
But he who practices TRUTH [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon Him].” It is clear that Jesus had a particular position that he believed to be true and if not accepted or adhered to would mean facing severe and eternally detrimental consequences. He NEVER entertained the position that this is his truth and you have the right to believe in your truth even it is different from his truth and suffer no consequences. He believed that his truth was the only truth and ALL need to accept it as truth or accept the consequences of their decision not to.
Paul the Apostle, also reflected the same sentiment when he said this statement to one of the many Churches he wrote letters to (Corinth)...”....Telling the Good News does not give me any reason for bragging. Telling the Good News is my DUTY—something I must do. And how terrible it will be for me if I do not tell the Good News. If I preach because it is my own choice, I have a reward. But if I preach and it is not my choice to do so, I am only doing the duty that was given to me. So what reward do I get? This is my reward: that when I tell the Good News I can offer it freely. I do not use my full rights in my work of preaching the Good News. But now if Christ (the Messiah) is preached as raised from the dead, how is it that some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen; And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is in vain [it amounts to NOTHING] and your faith is devoid of truth and is fruitless (without effect, empty, imaginary, and unfounded).
We are even discovered to be misrepresenting God, for we testified of Him that He raised Christ, Whom He did not raise in case it is TRUE that the dead are NOT raised.
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised;
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is mere delusion [futile, fruitless], and you are still in your sins [under the control and penalty of sin];
And further, those who have died in [spiritual fellowship and union with] Christ have perished (are lost)!
If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.
But the fact is that Christ (the Messiah) has been raised from the dead, and He became the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [in death].”
Paul is not unwilling to entertain the possibility of being incorrect in his believe that Christ has risen from dead and offers the free gift of salvation to all who believe. He is not afraid of, unwilling to entertain that thought. He is also not deciding to dismiss, disregard, or refuse to hear alternative believes contradictory to his own. He is also willing to accept any consequences, negative results, or adverse affects associated with his beliefs if it turns out they are not true. We should be willing to accept the same with regard to what we have chosen to believe is true. What if we are wrong? Would we want someone to inform us of our error and bring us into the knowledge of the truth? OR would we rather chose to be left alone, not informed of the truth, left to believe a LIE and suffer the consequences, results, conditions, and affects associated with believe in a LIE? Not to mention missing out on the blessings, benefits, privileges, gifts, etc. associated with submitting and conforming to the truth (Objective). Why continue to patronize, and placate people with the dangerous comment “What's true for you is true for you, but may not be true for me”. “You can believe anyway you want and suffer nothing for doing so, because we are both right even though our beliefs are polar opposites”. What a ridiculous position and opinion. Sadly, many people believe this way to their on detriment. Always, strive to know what is TRUE and when you discover it conform to it and never shun, disregard, or fear any other positions, but instead choose to reprove, instruct, inform,correct and help other people know and conform to the truth, also. There is too much to lose, too much at stake, too much to pay if you chose to let these people believe something that is not TRUE regardless of how sincere, earnest, or strong their believe is. What if this person is YOU!!! would you want people to let you continue to believe a LIE and inform you that your incorrect beliefs are “true for you, so there is no harm in continuing in your belief eventhough it is WRONG, INCORRECT & in ERROR and you will suffer tremendously and lose out even more for continuing in this belief. Think about it!! Strive to know truth and settle for nothing less. Know the Truth, The whole Truth and nothing but the Truth. Thanks for your time...feel free to share your comments, or reply back with questions, clarifications, confusion, you may have.
The [basis of the] judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this: the Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil.
For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved.
But he who practices TRUTH [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon Him].” It is clear that Jesus had a particular position that he believed to be true and if not accepted or adhered to would mean facing severe and eternally detrimental consequences. He NEVER entertained the position that this is his truth and you have the right to believe in your truth even it is different from his truth and suffer no consequences. He believed that his truth was the only truth and ALL need to accept it as truth or accept the consequences of their decision not to.
Paul the Apostle, also reflected the same sentiment when he said this statement to one of the many Churches he wrote letters to (Corinth)...”....Telling the Good News does not give me any reason for bragging. Telling the Good News is my DUTY—something I must do. And how terrible it will be for me if I do not tell the Good News. If I preach because it is my own choice, I have a reward. But if I preach and it is not my choice to do so, I am only doing the duty that was given to me. So what reward do I get? This is my reward: that when I tell the Good News I can offer it freely. I do not use my full rights in my work of preaching the Good News. But now if Christ (the Messiah) is preached as raised from the dead, how is it that some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen; And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is in vain [it amounts to NOTHING] and your faith is devoid of truth and is fruitless (without effect, empty, imaginary, and unfounded).
We are even discovered to be misrepresenting God, for we testified of Him that He raised Christ, Whom He did not raise in case it is TRUE that the dead are NOT raised.
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised;
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is mere delusion [futile, fruitless], and you are still in your sins [under the control and penalty of sin];
And further, those who have died in [spiritual fellowship and union with] Christ have perished (are lost)!
If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.
But the fact is that Christ (the Messiah) has been raised from the dead, and He became the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [in death].”
Paul is not unwilling to entertain the possibility of being incorrect in his believe that Christ has risen from dead and offers the free gift of salvation to all who believe. He is not afraid of, unwilling to entertain that thought. He is also not deciding to dismiss, disregard, or refuse to hear alternative believes contradictory to his own. He is also willing to accept any consequences, negative results, or adverse affects associated with his beliefs if it turns out they are not true. We should be willing to accept the same with regard to what we have chosen to believe is true. What if we are wrong? Would we want someone to inform us of our error and bring us into the knowledge of the truth? OR would we rather chose to be left alone, not informed of the truth, left to believe a LIE and suffer the consequences, results, conditions, and affects associated with believe in a LIE? Not to mention missing out on the blessings, benefits, privileges, gifts, etc. associated with submitting and conforming to the truth (Objective). Why continue to patronize, and placate people with the dangerous comment “What's true for you is true for you, but may not be true for me”. “You can believe anyway you want and suffer nothing for doing so, because we are both right even though our beliefs are polar opposites”. What a ridiculous position and opinion. Sadly, many people believe this way to their on detriment. Always, strive to know what is TRUE and when you discover it conform to it and never shun, disregard, or fear any other positions, but instead choose to reprove, instruct, inform,correct and help other people know and conform to the truth, also. There is too much to lose, too much at stake, too much to pay if you chose to let these people believe something that is not TRUE regardless of how sincere, earnest, or strong their believe is. What if this person is YOU!!! would you want people to let you continue to believe a LIE and inform you that your incorrect beliefs are “true for you, so there is no harm in continuing in your belief eventhough it is WRONG, INCORRECT & in ERROR and you will suffer tremendously and lose out even more for continuing in this belief. Think about it!! Strive to know truth and settle for nothing less. Know the Truth, The whole Truth and nothing but the Truth. Thanks for your time...feel free to share your comments, or reply back with questions, clarifications, confusion, you may have.
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