THE TRUTH AS IT IS IN JESUS.
By W. S. Chapman
When Jesus told Pilate that he came into the world to bear witness to the truth, and Pilate asked, in astonishment, “What is truth?” (John 18 : 33–38); and when Jesus told the believing Jews that if they continued to follow his teachings, they would understand truth, and so be free from the bondage of sin (John 8 : 31, 32), he was, in both instances, speaking of the truth as it is in him—the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes it. This truth, like the grace, or righteousness, of God, was brought to man by the Saviour (John 1 : 17), who in himself was that which he presented. Verse 14. John says that Christ’s name is “the Word” (John 1 : 1, 2), and the Word—the Truth—was made flesh, that man might be sanctified, and so be saved. John 17 : 14–19. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1 : 4), because the words he spoke were spirit and life (John 6 : 63); and this is the only light the world has ever had. One of the Bible synonyms for “truth” is the law of God. Ps. 119 : 142. As all truth came to man through Jesus Christ, this one was revealed by him. “It was Christ who, amid thunder and flame, had proclaimed the law upon Mount Sinai. . . . Jesus, the express image of his Father’s person, the effulgence of his glory, the self-denying Redeemer, throughout his pilgrimage of love on earth was a living representation of the character of the law of God;” and his mission was to “magnify the law, and make it honorable.” He was to show the spiritual nature of the law, to present its far-reaching principles, and to make plain its eternal obligation. “The law given upon Sinai was the enunciation of the principle of love.” Matt. 22 : 34–40. “Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God; and ‘God is love.’ It is conformity to the law of God; for ‘all thy commandments are righteousness,’ and ‘love is the fulfilling of the law.’ Righteousness is love, and love is the light and life of God. The righteousness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive righteousness by receiving him.” The life of Jesus here upon the earth was, then, the love of God illustrated in the flesh, and this life of love was therefore the truth as it is in Jesus. “Christ himself was the Word, the Wisdom, of God; and in him God himself came down from heaven, and clothed himself in the habiliments of humanity. He engaged in the mysterious conflict with Satan and his hosts that man might understand elevated themes of truth. He rescued the truth from the companionship of error, and sent it forth free to the world. He caused it to shine in its own native clearness and purity; for he designed that it should illuminate the dense darkness [of misapprehension of God] of the earth, and the gross darkness of the people. All his work in its many lines was to make man meet for the inheritance of the saints in light; his words of life were given that the darkness which prevailed might pass away, and the true light shine forth. . . . The light from the cross of Calvary, reflected back upon the Jewish age, gives character and significance to the whole Jewish economy; and on this side of the cross, in a special manner, we have the truth as it is in Jesus. Truth communicated through our Redeemer becomes indeed present truth.” The truth, then, as it is in Jesus—present truth—is not the prophecies, the doctrines, or the signs of the times,—all important in their sphere and place,—but the truth for the people of God to-day—present truth—truth “as it is in Jesus”—is the light that comes to us from the life of Jesus. “Search heaven and earth, and there is no truth revealed more powerful than that which is made manifest in works of mercy to those who need our sympathy and aid. This is the truth as it is in Jesus. When those who profess the name of Christ shall practice the principles of the golden rule (Matt. 7 : 12), the same power will attend the gospel as in apostolic times.” The power to come is the Holy Ghost, who will distribute the gifts. Joel 2 : 28; Eph. 4 : 11–16, 21. “The truth as it is in Jesus is obedience to every precept of Jehovah. . . . There is a pure and holy heaven in store for those who keep God’s commandments. It is worth lifelong, persevering effort. Satan is on your right hand and on your left; he is before you and behind. He supplies his falsehoods to every soul who is not cherishing the truth as it is in Jesus. . . . But there is a crown of life to be won, a life that measures with the life of God. And those who do not close their hearts and minds to conviction will learn what the love of a holy, righteous God is; for it is an amazing principle, which works in a mysterious and wonderful manner to secure the salvation of the race.”