There are a lot of religious errors in the world today.  To most people that is okay because they do not view doctrine as something important.  The Bible, on the other hand, does (2 John 1:9-11).

Many justify all the religious division that is in the world by simply saying, “We can’t know the truth.”  It is true that if we cannot know the truth, religious division is inevitable, or maybe even inescapable.  But the assumption that we cannot know the truth is wrong.

2 John 4 (ESV)
⁴ I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.

How could these disciples of Christ walk in the truth if they could not even know it? Furthermore, take note that not only did these Christians walk in the truth, but they were commanded by God to do so.  Would God command us to do something impossible to do?  Walking in the truth is our God-given obligation; thus, it is up to us to learn the truth.  The good news is that there is a great reward for knowing and living by the truth.

John 8:31–32 (ESV)
³¹ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

This should settle the case about knowing the truth.  Since Jesus said we will know the truth if we abide in His word, then either we can know the truth or Jesus was lying about it.  Surely no one would take the latter position so we should all agree that knowing the truth is very much possible.

Of course, knowing the truth takes some work.  Jesus said, “If you abide in my word…”  What does that mean?  It means to continue to study and meditate upon it.  That is why He went on to say that abiding in His word would result in being His disciples.  The word “disciples” comes from the Greek word “mathētēs” and means, “a learner.”  We should never stop learning from Jesus.

Matthew 11:29 (ESV)
²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

This learning takes place by studying the words of our Lord, words found in the Bible.  As we diligently study the word of God, we come to know more and more truth.

The assumption that we cannot know the truth is not only wrong but also dangerous because it stops some from trying to attain it and causes others to take a casual approach to the word of God when they do study it.  Truth is not always easy to find or accept but it is always worth the effort.

Truth is powerful, but never more so than when it comes to God’s word.  The Hebrews writer reminds us that the word of God is, “…living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12).  Let’s know it, accept it, and always live by it.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.