What is Truth?

Absolute Truth vs. Relative Truth –

Relative Truth or Relativism is the belief that everyone has their own version of what is true. Truth is relative to the situation or community or one’s own experiences. Relative truth comes down to placing our opinion in a position of ultimate authority. What we think about something is what we believe to be true.

When each has his own opinion – each will be the judge of what is true. The result is a complete lack of logical order. Confusion follows and the people are left with no set guidelines of truth and falsehood, of right and wrong.

Absolute Truth is the belief that there are certain truths that are true all of the time. They are not dependent upon anyone’s opinion or judgment. They do not change from one community to another, in different situations and they are not based on our experiences.

Absolute Truth is the ultimate truth. It should be what we mean when we say that something is the truth. Any claim that falls short of that ends up being opinion.

Where do we find relative truth? Just about everywhere. We speak as though we are or have authority to declare truth. Politicians are constantly making statements that they want us to accept as true, but they themselves know are not. Professors speak as though their words are truth but they turn out to be indoctrination. The smartest among us are held up as authorities and experts and we tend to listen to them to find truth.

Relativism is all around us. Most of the statements men make as being truth are just opinion. Their arguments can be torn apart and their truth will change as knowledge increases or circumstances vary.

Where do we find absolute truth? The answer lies in the same answer to another question, “Is there absolute truth?” Yes, there is truth that is absolute. It is true no matter what else may change. It has always been true, it is true today and it will always be so. It is not based on anyone’s belief or agreement or opinion. It is TRUE – period! Where is it found? It is found in God and His Word. God is the ultimate source of truth. God does not lie and He does not act based on His opinions. He is right 100% of the time, every time, all the time, each time. It has always been that way and it always will be.

Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?”

Jesus claimed, “I am the way, the truth and the life…”

That is what it boils down to. If you are searching for truth, you will not find it apart from Jesus. It is not in yoga, meditation, universities, philosophies, or wise men. It is not even in Rush Limbaugh or me. Real truth, which is actually the only truth, is found in God, the God of the Bible.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1: 14, 17