"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

Introduction

In Part 1, I mentioned that John 14:6 reveals an important doctrinal statement of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ! It clearly states that it is only through Christ Jesus that we can go to God the Father and be saved. This verse reveals succinctly the four important truths - our Lord Jesus is: 1) The Way; 2) The Truth; 3) The Life; and 4) The Only Way to our Heavenly Father, and therefore heaven.

In last week’s article, I discussed about Jesus is “The Way”. When our Lord Jesus says, "I am the way", He means "He" is the "ONLY" way, the "ONLY" passport, to heaven. The Bible points to Jesus Christ as our constant guide, teacher, and lawgiver. He is the door that we must go through. All other doors lead to destruction. His door and ladder leads to eternal life in heaven.

This week, we will study Jesus is “The Truth”, and Jesus “The Life”. May this study edify youJesus is "The Truth".

Christ is "the truth". The Bible does not say Jesus Christ is just "a truth". There is a definite article "the" before "Truth". Truth is a fact or a reality. It includes sincerity, honesty, and trustworthiness. Founders of other religions claim that they had truth, but not "The Truth". The Lord Jesus Christ is the centre of all truth. According to Bishop JC Ryle, a nineteenth century saint, Jesus Christ is "the whole substance of true religion which the mind of man requires". In other words Christ is the epitome and embodiment of all truth. John 8:32 reads, "And ye shall know the truth, and truth shall make you free". If we believe in Christ and abide in Him we will gain greater knowledge of the truth and this will thereby set us free from the bondage of sin.

Our Lord Jesus is the centre to which all revelation directs, and in the Old Testament, the ceremonies, rituals and blood sacrifices that the priests performed were only a figure and shadow of the truth. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Heb 9:24). When Jesus Christ came to earth and lived amongst us, He revealed the whole truth. The "figures of the true" are replaced by the truth, in the Lord Jesus, by His shedding of blood and death on the cross.

Jesus is also "the true tabernacle". "A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man" (Heb 8:2). After performing His perfect duty on the true tabernacle of his own body on the cross, Christ is now the minister of the sanctuary, the holy of holies, the true tabernacle in heaven, and taking care of His people\'s needs and affairs. He takes care of us by interceding on our behalf with God the Father! God the Father looks upon Him as the truth, representing us. He is now our advocate and is now in heaven with great dominion and dignity. He is the high priest of His Church, carrying out the duties of His office for every member of His Church.

When the Lord Jesus was interrogated by Governor Pilate, He declared that He was "the Truth". "Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice" (John 18:37). Note the words spoken by our Lord: "the truth" instead of "Truth" without the definite article of "the". Jesus is not just "truth. He is "the truth".

"In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col 2:3). Jesus Christ is "the truth", absolute truth, in whom lies all the wisdom and knowledge in this world, and thereafter. The wisest man on earth is not as wise as God, and the most knowledgeable man is not as knowledgeable as God. "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Cor 1:25).

Jesus is "The Life".

Christ Jesus, the Second Person of the Triune God, is the only source of Life as He is the Creator of all physical and spiritual life. He is the author and giver of life. He sustains us.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1,2). In this verse the Word is Jesus Christ. In the beginning, Jesus Christ was there and He was God then. He has no beginning and He has no end.  He is NOT a created being. He is the Creator. He is "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending" (Rev 1:8).

"All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:3). All three Persons of the Trinity were involved in the creation (Gen 1), but our Lord Jesus was pre-eminent in creation. This is reinforced, in Col 1:16-17 "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist".

Then John 1:4 reads "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men". In Him was life. Jesus Christ is our Creator who creates us out of nothing. He is the source of all life, and the source of eternal life. In fact He is the only source of life. He breathes life into us, giving us a physical body, and a living soul. A soul that no one can destroy except by Him. 1 John 5:12 reads "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life". Those who believed on the Lord Jesus will not see death, but everlasting life. Those who do not believe on Him will see death and "the second death" (Rev 20:14; 21: 8). "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and the whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev 21:8).

Jesus Christ is "the life". As we are sinners, this "life" is our title or licence to forgiveness and eternal life. It is our foundation of spiritual life and holiness. It is our guarantee of our resurrection in the future. If Jesus Christ is "the life", it is also appropriate that He is "the resurrection".

John 11:25 says "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live". Bishop JC Ryle remarked that "The root of all life, for soul and for body, is Christ". He is "the life", because through Jesus Christ only, we are alive unto God! "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 6:11).

May God bless you all!

…….To be continued Next Lord’s Day.

Elder Michael D Lee

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Important Announcement Regarding Residency In The Stone Mansion.
After careful deliberation, the Session has decided that residency in The Stone Mansion will be reserved for:

(i)  Session members of B-P churches locally, interstate and overseas and their immediate families;
(ii)  Visiting Pastors, preachers and speakers and their immediate families;
(iii)  Emergency short term stay for those in need.

Emergency short term stay will be for a period of two weeks only. Any extension will be at the discretion of the Session.

The Session appeals to worshippers to refrain from making unwarranted referrals.

Your co-operation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church Session.

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