Day 28, Year 1

How Do You Treat the Truth?

“For we could do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.” (2 Corinthians 13:8 NASB) 

The Most High Lord Jesus Christ is the truth, and He is greater than all of us. In reality, a person either opposes the truth or supports Him. Although people have no power to resist the truth, they are free to reject it. Believers should therefore stand on the side of truth and support Him. Yet, we should never consider ourselves the total embodiment of the truth. Today’s verse emphasizes several key points, essentially conveying that no one could oppose Jesus with any actual effect, who is the truth.

First, God’s truth, whether heavenly principles or pointing to Jesus, is invincible, undefeatable, and always prevailing. Indeed,no one could do anything to effectively oppose the truth. Any attempt to resist the truth only brings harm in future to the one who opposes Him.

Second, today’s verse mentioned that we cannot obstruct the truth but can only side with it. The word “for” in Greek is huper, which here refers to “in behalf of, for the sake of.” That is, believers make various decisions for the sake of the truth. The Chinese Union Version translation might have considered the reality where the truth is not often followed, which could make it appear weak, thus calling believers to “help” the truth. Perhaps to those who do not adhere to the truth, it might seem weak. However, the meaning in Greek conveys that the truth is incredibly powerful, and people have no power to resist it. Believers should then obey the truth in everything. This verse highlights a common experience of believers—the truth received through faith in Jesus could be very powerful in our lives. 

Third, believers should know and obey the truth in everything through Jesus. Some might argue that not all decisions believers made could be judged as sharp cut-offs of right or wrong, and black or white. Jesus sometimes allows people the freedom to choose in trivial matters. This might be true, but such opportunities might not be so numerous. What’s more dangerous is that what we see as good hinders what Jesus sees as the best. In other words, the good things in our eyes might prevent us from desiring and receiving the best that Jesus wants to give us. For instance, many prioritize good grades or high income over the truth of God. This is an example of forsaking the best to choose what they see as good, ultimately causing harm to themselves and others.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you think that you always comply with God’s truth? If it is difficult to obey His truth in some issues, how would you resolve these?

2) Have you ever chosen what you saw as good and missed out on the best that Jesus wanted to give you? If so, how would you change yourself and choose instead in future?