Give it to me straight. I want the whole truth and nothing but the truth. As honesty and integrity in news broadcasting are watered down to less than muddy water, there is almost nowhere that truth stands boldly and unashamedly. Over the last year, I’ve heard many people confess they don’t watch the news or read a newspaper anymore. Where is truth?
Almost nowhere. The sources for truth are becoming less and less. As they grow less, we rely more and more on trusted friends, family, and social groups to formulate acceptable truths we live by and believe, whether politically, socially, or religiously. What if those are muddied and watered down, too?
The sources we depend on for truth are significant. Children depend on their parents to tell the truth. My father was a truth-teller, but he did tell me that the fastest way to get my letter to Santa Claus was to put it in the furnace. I assumed it was because the smoke would carry it to the North Pole faster than a postage stamp would. I believed him, but that was clearly NOT the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
We smile at silly things like that, but there is a sobering truth the world is dumbing down and smoothing over so subtly that even the most brilliant minds are deceived into believing a lie. It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9:27 records. The Passion Translation makes it very clear: Every human being is appointed to die once and then to face God’s judgment. The MESSAGE Bible says everyone has to die once, then face the consequences.
What consequences? Heaven or hell. The minute we slip out of this life beyond the veil between the seen and unseen worlds, we will either be in the presence of the Lord (heaven) or the eternal fires and damnation of Satan’s kingdom (hell). That’s the Un-Fake News—the truth that matters to every human being. How clever we are, how many good deeds we’ve done, how educated we’ve become, what status symbols and wealth we’ve acquired, or how much we’ve gotten away with in this life will be of no importance to secure a safe place in the afterlife.
Jesus Christ is a news broadcaster of unmatchable standards. He IS truth personified. Read His words from John 14:6, when Thomas was confused and distraught about comments concerning Christ’s death and departure. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” More Un-Fake News.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14 ESV). Everything Jesus did and said was and is true. No part of the Godhead—Father, Son, Holy Spirit—is capable of fake news. They cannot lie. When Jesus said that no man comes to the Father except through Him, He told us the truth. Not one of the thousands of Hindu gods, Buddha, or any other god has bought and paid for our salvation and entrance into paradise but Jesus Christ.
His Un-Fake News is the good news of the gospel! When He was born and became flesh and dwelt among us, the angels could not contain their joy. They exploded in praise across the skies over Bethlehem that night with these words, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). They knew Truth had penetrated the lie of Satan.
When all you want is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, could you spend some time with Truth Himself? Jesus not only teaches and comforts us from the Bible's written Word but also helps us understand how to do life by applying His truth. God’s truth stands boldly and unashamedly forever.
© 2022, Chris Werre