“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 NKJV

But what is the truth?  Merriam-Webster defines truth as fidelity, constancy; sincerity in action, character, and utterance.  The psalmist said in 5:9 KJV, “For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatter with their tongue.”  In other words, there is no truth in spoken word or behavior.  Then David describes one who can walk righteously with the Lord is one that “…walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.”  Psalm 15:2 KJV. 

Just as recent as yesterday I read where a large chain warehouse store has labeled all its Bibles in the genre fiction.  It wasn’t clear whether the Bibles were in the actual Fiction area or in the Religion area where all books were displayed.  The disturbing aspect is that the Bible was labeled fiction at all.  Human error?  Maybe.  As Christians we know truth is a fundamental characteristic of God. 

Another story on the news told of a Methodist minister who has been suspended for thirty days because he performed a same sex marriage between his son and another man.  He was told he must surrender his credentials if he cannot conform to the Methodist doctrine.  The minister said the Old Testament is outdated and he will not be silent on his views of supporting gays and lesbians.  That is his right.  In our great country where freedom still reigns, one is allowed to believe and to speak what one accepts to be true.  This is an individual choice.  If I believe the Bible, in its entirety is the Truth, subsequently I cannot pick and choose a concept to keep and another to discard as outdated.  Again that is my right and a personal choice.  To me the Old Testament is still God’s Law and lays the foundation for the coming of the Messiah. 

Then comes Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians about silencing women in church.  “Women should remain silent in the churches.  They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.  If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 NIV

There is a multitude of dialogue explaining away why Paul taught this, some even saying it is not Paul’s writing at all.  Should we regress to the time when women were to remain silent in church?  Theologian I am not.  As much as I read and study the Bible, I still am filled with questions.  For my peace of mind I must fall back on the Scripture’s that bring me comfort, knowing I am not supposed to understand it all.

“And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.’” Matthew 22:16 ESV 

Matthew Henry said, “Jesus Christ was a faithful Teacher and the Truth itself.  Jesus showed people the right way in which they should go; that He was a skillful Teacher and knew the way of God and would surely let us know it.  This is the character of a good teacher, to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and not to suppress, pervert, or stretch any truth for favor, hatred or good will, either out of a desire to please, or a fear to offend any man.”

LORD, I have the questions and YOU hold the answers.  I have the moment and YOU hold the eternity.  I want to live by YOUR Word; I pray for harmony in relationships.  My earnest prayer is that I am able to live my days in truth to YOUR Word as best I am able to understand it.  I thank YOU LORD, for the Bible and the gift of YOUR Word.  In JESUS name I pray.  Amen.