Truth

So going through some old files on my computer, I came across this expose (for lack of a better word) that I wrote last year. I had forgotten all about it. But I was even somewhat impressed on were my mind was on this particular day/time. So here you go...

I am a person who likes to analyze words. Since I am somewhat of a writer (mainly poetry), I like to choose words carefully. Making sure that I fully understand their meaning and usage. Whenever I am writing a poem, in particular, I will analyze and research a word until I have found the perfect word to convey my message. No matter how simple or complex the word may be, I know what it is that I want to say, I know what message and point and emotion I want to express, so I choose carefully. When it comes to scripture and studying the word, I found myself engaging in the same practice. When a particular verse mentions a certain word, I will search other translations, other corresponding verses until I get a full understanding of what that word is and why it was used. Because to me, each word should be specifically chosen and has a perfect meaning. When I am studying and find myself zoning in on a particular verse or phrase, the Holy Spirit begins to awaken within me a desire to gain full understanding of that verse or phrase as it pertains to my current situation or whatever he would have me to gain. So as I was reading my bible one day, I stumbled upon a very familiar verse in James 1:18 (NIV) which says “he chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all created”. Now I am sure I had read this verse before, but for some reason the Holy Spirit highlighted a portion of that verse, “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth”. The word of truth, stuck out in my mind and so that led me on a path to research, what is the meaning of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 states “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”. Ephesians 1:13 reads And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. I decided to look up the word truth, and here is what I found, truth is: the actual state of the matter, conformity with fact or reality, a verified or indisputable fact, and my favorite, ideal or fundamental reality apart from and transcending perceived experience. That last definition stood out to me, so I decided to pick it apart a little deeper. Ideal: perception of something in its perfection, fundamental: a foundation or basis, transcend: to rise above, go beyond, surpass to exceed in excellence, elevation, perceived: to become awareness of/understanding of. Putting it together, truth is: the foundation of our reality which is set apart from and rises above what we understand as our experience. So we were birthed through the word of truth…something that is bigger and reaches far beyond what we understand or see. This truth is good news of our salvation.

Written By: Melinda Y. Tomlinson

2013®