How to Test God’s Truth Claims

Truth is according to many in this day and age, relative.Relative, it depends on the person speaking, the situation at hand, and the feelings in general.Really?Because when I order a Big Mac, the person at the first window knows exactly how much I owe…to the penny.It is not relative, nor opinion, or based on my feelings. Truth is reality. Jesus presented a method for testing truth claims from God.

The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked. So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.” John 7:15-18 (NLT2)

Jesus began teaching during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem and the people marveled at him being able to teach them so much and not having the proper degrees and institutional training associated with the teachers in the Temple.Jesus provided a method for determining truth, a willingness to do the will of God.Those teaching to glorify God will speak the truth; those who are seeking glory for themselves may bend the truth to fit what gets them attention and applause.What happened then happens now.If we want to test the truth of Jesus’ teaching, we must act on it.

A person who wants to do the will of God and not just talk about it is an odd duck.That person is courageous and has faith in God that encourages them to go beyond the normal human experience and understanding.Doing the will of God rocks the status quo.Jesus spoke the truth, and those who acted on it knew the truth of it.Those who were skeptical and stayed safe missed it.

Jesus’ message was from God the Father.He communicated in unique ways, and, according to Hebrews, chose to make his message clear through Jesus.

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. Hebrews 1:1-2 (NLT2)

How do you respond to God’s truth spoken through Jesus?

Do you check the truth of what God is saying by doing what he says?

How has God’s truth, Jesus’ teaching, been confirmed to you?

Take a moment to thank Jesus for teaching God’s truth.