John 8:31-32 (HCSB) (31) So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. (32) You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The only absolute is the truth, because the truth never changes. The challenge you and I have is to find out what the absolute truth is and follow it. This is not a new concept. The legal system follows the evidence that will lead to the truth about a crime. True believers in Christ can find truth as well. We have a Bible that is God inspired and reveals the truth about Christ, the current worldview, and us.

If you read verse 31 carefully, you notice that knowing the truth and being set free is conditional. Jesus plainly says that (1) we must be a believer, (2) continue in His Word, and (3) follow Christ as a disciple. God created us with a need for Him. Philosophers throughout the ages have pondered about the nature of truth. The philosopher Rene’ Descartes asserted what he believed to be the truth about our nature and existence when he famously stated, “Cogito ergo sum”, or “I think, therefore I am.” I think the Bible teaches about truth the other way around—“I am, therefore I think.” We have a tendency to make truth complicated by coming up with exceptions to God’s truth to suit our needs and continue as less than disciplined followers of Christ.

The two verses above summarize what truth is and how to get it. When Jesus prayed for His disciple and for us during the last supper in the upper room, He said, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) Sanctification is the Holy Spirit’s process and work in us to make us more like Christ. The Bible teaches that the only way for us to be completely set free from false doctrine, false worship, and false obedience is to continue in Christ’s word.

The truth about who we really are in the “eyes” of God can only be understood in light of God’s Word. Our own understanding is not reliable when it comes to evaluating how we measure up to the raw truth of us being a true disciple of Christ. Proverbs 3:5-6 says that we must “(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; (6) think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.” Personal revival will come only when we accept the truth about ourselves, and believe that Christ is the truth we desperately need to accept.