Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4 NASB)
How important is it to us that we hand things down for the certainty of the student? We’ve been inundated with ideals that have a history of destroying, told to be tolerant, that it’s all relative, the ends justifies the means, and that any fact can be changed for a better outcome. How can anything be trusted? Is there any solid truth left? Or does truth even exist if it’s not truth to me?
I’m looking at this thinking that obviously Luke believes that truth matters. Even though others have come to explain what they’ve come to serve having seen and experienced the evidence themselves, the exact truth mattered to him. The order of it, the very details mattered so that the student would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was the whole truth…or Truth.
I think of my kids. I have a few. Each of them hang on the words that come out of teachers’ mouths. Whatever an adult says is easily believed. Even The Lego Movie has a quote: “Hey everybody! You don’t know me, but I’m on TV. So you can trust me.” We think that way too. Whatever the news says must be the truth. Why would they ever lead us astray?
How certain can we be of anything anymore? How can we truly know? What difference does it make?
Maybe that’s why this truth about what Theophilus was being taught was so important to Luke. Maybe there were others out there who caused him to doubt by what they were saying. Maybe people actually thought the way our culture does.
We have to decide whether or not the truth is important enough for us to know and pass along. Is it important to us that people truly know? And if we are unsure, what steps are we taking to know for sure?
The truth is important because there isn’t anything else that’s sound. The truth doesn’t move. The truth doesn’t change. It can’t be penetrated. It stands. It’s accepted by those who know and believe the truth. It’s reliable. It produces positive results. It motivates and unites. It convicts. It enables a higher form of living. It deepens friendships. It’s a good side to be on.
The only reason why anyone would not like the truth is because the truth isn’t in them. They’re afraid of it. Certainty is intimidating to people outside of truth. Maybe that’s why God says to speak the truth in love. Because love casts out fear.
In an age of relativity permeating our society, it’s vital people know for certain the truth. We need to proclaim it truthfully, with no tainting, no cover, no sugar.
Luke talks about truth deliverers as eyewitnesses of the word and servants of the word. And Luke’s account was going to solidify what Theophilus heard concerning truth from these truth proclaimers. This is what I took: We truly can’t experience the influence of God’s word in our lives if we’re not on the side of truth. We can’t serve God outside of the truth.
The truth is, the truth makes us capable. The truth brings fulfillment in life. And not just this life, but the life to come.
Isn’t that something we want for others? Isn’t that what we want for our kids? The best life possible? Then the truth, an accurate teaching of the truth must be of highest priority. Diligence in searching, digging deeper, pondering, studying, and praying. The influence it will have on us and in turn upon them!
I want to be a servant of the word. I want to proclaim the truth. There is no other way other than to diligently seek it out in Jesus. What are we undertaking to help others be certain of their faith? To help them even come to faith, true faith in Christ? How are we becoming immovable, just like the truth of Jesus?
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