Thought for Today
Psalm 15:1 O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? 2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;
Proverbs 12:17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceitfully.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
John 18:37 Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." 38 Pilate asked him, "What is truth?"
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776)
What truths do you hold to be self-evident? What is your evidence? As the U.S.A. plans to celebrate its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, I believe that every citizen of our great nation should spend some time reflecting on those questions. As part of that reflection, we should carefully consider Pilate’s question to Jesus.
The Bible does not include the word ‘truths.’ A search on my Bible software did not find a single use of the plural of the Greek word ἀλήθεια (alahtheia). My lexicon tells me that word means, “of what has certainty and validity truth.” (Friberg, Analytical Greek Lexicon) Where are we to go in search of the truth or truths of life, of society and of government? More particularly, where are Christian citizens of the U.S.A. to go in search of the truth or truths of life, of society and of government?
My own reflections on the search begin with an absolute certainty that God’s intent in it all is for all of God’s children to have the opportunity to pursue life, liberty and happiness. God is the very source of life, “Genesis 2:7 then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.” I have read the Creation narrative in Genesis. I know that every act of creation concluded with some version of “And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:10, 1:12, 1:18, 1:21, 1:25) The Bible sums it all up with, “1:31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”
As to the issue of liberty, Jesus said, "John 8:31 If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." Liberty is defined as, “a state of freedom, especially as opposed to political subjection, imprisonment, or slavery. Its two most generally recognized divisions are political and civil liberty. Civil liberty is the absence of arbitrary restraint and the assurance of a body of rights, . . . Political liberty consists of the right of individuals to participate in government by voting and by holding public office.” (www.britannica.com) The truth of which Jesus spoke is the truth of the gospel message of God’s love, mercy and grace.
Happiness is a very subjective state. I believe all of God’s children, if they could enjoy life and liberty, can find happiness. Those in favor of authoritarian rule, who believe all people instinctively desire to be told what to do and how to do it, would disagree with me. For the past 250 years, the U.S.A. has conducted a rather successful experiment in proving my point. I pray that the experiment will continue.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful were both houses of Congress to require that every law, rule or regulation proposed must include a preface demonstrating how that law, rule or regulation advanced the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness? All federal employees should be regularly required to demonstrate how their position and actions advance the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.
God meant for it all to be good. That’s the way God created it all. Read Genesis chapter1. God created us to tend God’s garden. Societies, nations and governments should facilitate our task of tending God’s garden, of pursuing life, liberty and happiness. That’s the truth.
Stay safe, relish life, liberty and happiness, trust God,
Pastor Ray