The disciple is one who knows the truth by faith and experience. Truth is a term that is extremely important. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life".1 For the study of the Triangle, let's assume that:
1. The Way is the Seed loving, or introduction.
2. The Life is Feed abiding and maturing.
3. The Truth is bearing fruit or the standard of cyclic reproduction, or Succeeding.
This is Truth that demands God's confirmation. Note that Truth is a non-definitive term without reference to a person or object. We are not concerned here with a philosophical or metaphysical approach to truth, nor are we concerned at this point in the specific truth of the body of Christian teaching from the letters of the apostles, although they are and do confirm truth. Truth in our reference is the quality of the nature of God Himself. "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth".2
Our Lord Jesus Christ was indeed Truth. God personalized Truth when He sent His Son to earth. He (Jesus) expressed the Father to man. The incarnation (i.e. when Jesus the Spirit Man came to earth and lived as a flesh man just like us) was Truth made flesh. God is Truth.3 Christ Jesus is Truth.4 The Holy Spirit is Truth.5
The witness of the believer can only be confirmed in Truth. All other attempts are rejects. Truth is confirmed in Truth. Truth is the ability for the regenerated man to approach the Father through Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. "You have heard about Him, and were taught in Him, as Truth is in Jesus".6 Therefore, as disciples, we must make very sure the message we deliver to mankind (and to God) is "about Him" and "taught in Him." Only that message can be confirmed.
Truth (Greek: alethinos) means real, ideal or genuine. It is the quality, or characteristic of God, which His Son delivered so that we might receive and share with a dying humanity. This is the seed that grows and bears fruit.
Jesus said, "If you continue in My word you truly are My disciples, and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free"(see #25 Become Children).7 God is not a God of bondage, but freedom. He cannot confirm a message, a person or system of bondage. Likewise, His Spirit cannot guide except into Truth.8 The Truth is Jesus, the King, and through Him we reach the Father.
The will to produce Truth becomes at once the will of God. It is primarily something to be realized and done rather than something to be learned and known. "Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ".4 "If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know if the teaching is from God, He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the one who sent Him, He is True, and there is no unrighteousness in Him".10 Again note that the disciple wishing to see truth confirmed should carefully read and digest the teaching in John 7:14-36 Truth is regeneration in our Lord Jesus Christ.
11 God's nature and character cause that Truth to be confirmed.
Additional Scripture References:
Galatians 2:20
1 Peter 1:23
1 John 2
1. John 14:6
2. James 1:18
3. John 7:28
4. John 1:9, John 6:32
5. John 16:13, 1 John 2:27, John 5:7
6. Ephesians 4:21
7. John 8:31-32
8. John 16:13
9. John 1:17
10. John 7:17-18
11. John 7:14-36
