Truth Bias

Bulletin

Dan Peters
02/05/23 - Attitude

Truth Bias

Jesus stood before Pilate & the Jewish leaders. Pilate wants Jesus to defend himself, but again, Jesus says nothing in his own defense (Mat. 27:14). Finally, Pilate tries to get Jesus to level with him. But Jesus’ level is beyond what Pilate is willing to do. “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Here is now Pilate’s opportunity. “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “ You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37).
Jesus is a king, the king of truth. He has come to “testify to the truth”. But not everyone is going to believe the truth. Jesus knows this and is not going to alter his call. “Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice” (v.37). This statement is worth exploring a bit. Jesus is a king over the realm of truth, and only truth seekers, hearers are going to respond. Earlier Jesus said during an intense Bible like discussion, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself (John 7:16-17). I think it is true that we all have a “bias” in the news, politics or a Bible discussion. Jesus thinks our “bias” will shape what we believe. So If I have a “bias” to do the “will of God”, I will accept what Jesus teaches as true. Have you identified your “bias”? Too many people think they don’t have one. Is your bias “to do the will of God”? Jesus says, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself (John 7:16-17).” Jesus knows your bias.

I have been writing these articles in the newspaper for just over a year now. We have had a few visitors come and worship with us and a few phone calls in response to these articles. I am thankful for each one. But of course we would like to have more, but at what cost? We could try and draw people with food, fun and games. Many churches go down this road. This is sometimes called the “social gospel” as if focus on social needs of the community. (Don’t get me wrong, we eat together and have fun. But this is done out of our homes, even as Paul says, “If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment. The remaining matters I will arrange when I come.” (1Cor. 11:34). But if we focused on food, fun and games at church we have shifted our bias towards mankind, man’s will. God is our audience, to do the will of God is our bias. Dan Peters