How Do You Know What Is True?

More and more, I find myself asking this question. How do I know what is true? 

In recent articles I have written, I am discussing things of spirit, spirituality, and how it all relates to our life. It is really what makes up life. I have heard it said that some people say that each of us are just physical bodies with a soul or spirit. Others say the converse is true, that we each are a spirit or soul, and we have bodies. I don't know which is more true. I would say that it is a mixture of both, that without the body, the spirit (or soul) is for nought, but without the spirit, the body would not be alive. 

Life does seem to be a mystery, a treasure, something to marvel at. 

One thing I am more and more sure of in my life. Without God, and the wisdom and truth found in the Bible, I sure wouldn't want to try to live or understand life. 

The "experts," whether they be scientists, theologians, philosophers, professors, or whatever learned profession you can name, none of them have any better idea about life's meaning than you or I can have. I really believe that. Sure they can use many big words, and flowery language, put on robes and caps, with tassels and hoods and sashes of various colors, showing how much they have learned and what degrees they have. But I promise you they do not have any more access to that which is really true than you or I do. 

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14.6

The little “book” of John in the New Testament is different from the other Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), in that John brings out much of the underlying spiritual understanding of Jesus' life. 

In John Chapter 3, Jesus was speaking to one of the religious leaders of the time. Nicodemus could recognize that there was something quite categorically different about Jesus, and it grabbed him. 

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4 Nicodemus *said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"
5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
8 "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
9 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can these things be?"
10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?
11 "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony.
12 "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13 “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.”

As Jesus was consciously approaching the end of His earthly life in a physical body, He spoke words of direction to His closest followers. From John chapter 16, the following are the words of Jesus. 

1 "These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.
2 "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.
3 "These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.
4 "But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5 "But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?'
6 "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
7 "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;
10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;
11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
12 "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.
15 "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.

I am absolutely sure that all of the above sounds crazy. Yeah, right, some “spirit” is going to come and share stuff with me. In the view of all the wise and learned people of this world, that is right - IT IS CRAZY! But personally, I put all my faith in these words of Jesus, over and against the words of any other man, no matter how many degrees they have! 

Back to my original question - HOW DO I KNOW WHAT IS TRUE? 

Ask God to help you. Make as sure as you can that you have been “born of the Spirit.” Seek to love and serve God in your life. And simply, in faith, ask for God's help and guidance. God loves you. 

If anyone has any questions about any of this, please feel free to be in touch with me. Get hold of a Bible and look for yourself. Start with the Book of John in the New Testament. Be honest in your search for the Truth. If you truly want to know who God is, be prepared for the most fascinating and exciting discovery and special time in your life.

God Bless Us All!