http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8:32&version=NIV1984
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:6&version=NIV1984
Elasticity. I don't know if you've ever thought about it but it's pretty important. Without elasticity we wouldn't have rubber bands. Or balloons. Or bungee cords. The same with tires. Or rubber gloves. And think about all the clothes that contain elastic. Coats. Pants. Blouses. Skirts. Yes, elasticity is a pretty important commodity because it allows things to stretch. When it needs to be flexible. Or cover just a little bit more. Unfortunately, some people think that the truth has elastic-like qualities to it. They are wrong.
One of the qualities about truth is that it is completely inflexible. Non-elastic. In other words, it doesn't stretch or bend. Now most of the products that I've listed above would break if they didn't have any elasticity. Or they would become very uncomfortable. Or their usefulness would be seriously diminished. Truth is the same way. Stretch it and it breaks. Let me explain the diverse nature of truth.
On one hand truth is very durable. Solid. Like a rock. Truth doesn't change. While rocks can erode over the centuries truth remains exactly the same. It doesn't change one bit. Now, it might expand as we discover more of it. But it doesn't change. Unfortunately, in our age of being 'honest' and transparent, sometimes people hammer others over the head with the truth. This is one of the reasons why I don't like many of the reality shows. Show such as Survivor or The Bachelor. People say the meanest, nastiest things about others and to others. In front of tens of millions of people. And even though some of what they say is true it still doesn't give them the right to bludgeon somebody with it. So truth is durable. In fact, it is eternal.
On the other hand, truth is also very fragile. As durable as truth is, when you try to stretch it, it breaks. Into a millions pieces. We see this every day. People try to stretch the truth to a spouse. Or an employer. Or a friend. They think that they can stretch the truth just a little bit in order to cover some misdeed. But it never works. The truth eventually breaks. And when it does, the lie is exposed. For all to see. As the saying goes, honesty is always the best policy.
Now the irony is that people who try to stretch the truth don't want others to do it to them. So the person who stretches the truth about a vehicle they are selling wouldn't be too happy if someone did the same to them. The employer who stretches the truth to an employee wouldn't want that employee to do so to them. The drug dealer who stretches the truth to the law wouldn't appreciate the law doing it to them. Isn't that funny? We do unto others but we don't want them to do unto us. Why not? Shouldn't be expect it?
As Christians, our relationship to the truth is very important. In fact, you might say that truth is central to everything we believe. Because if what we believe isn't true then it is a lie. This is what the Apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 15. He said that if it wasn't true that Jesus had risen from the dead, then we are still in our sins. And our faith is useless. It would all be a lie. A sham. Fortunately, what we believe is true. Jesus did rise from the dead. And He is true. He is the very embodiment of truth. As I said, as Christians, we have a very special relationship to the truth. We seek the truth. We know the truth. We treasure the truth. We love the truth. And we seek to share it with others. Boldly, yet gently.
So the next time that you are tempted to stretch the truth, even just a little bit, don't. It won't work. It won't stretch. God designed it that way. Instead, realize that the truth is your friend. People who tell the truth never have to keep track of what they've told others. They never have to worry about someday being found out. They are are able to live life with a clear conscience. As such, they are a blessing to others. Family. Friends. Society. They also reflect the image of God. That is a very good thing.
Lord, I confess that I don't always see truth as being ultra-valuable. But it is. It is one of the most valuable things that You have entrusted to me. So help me to take care of the truth. To treasure it. To continue to seek it out. And love it. In so doing, may I be a blessing to others. And a reflection of You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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