The Harmony of Truth
(week 21/02)
Olubi Johnson
The Lord Jesus said “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). It’s not just the truth that sets you free but rather the truth that you know personally by revelation and which you act upon that sets you free. In our article this week we will be looking at what truth is and how all truth ultimately harmonizes with itself.
What is Truth?
Truth is reality: Spiritual or physical reality. Now God is the creator of all reality, and since God creates all things with His spoken Word by the power of His Holy Spirit, then ultimately what God says, as revealed by the Spirit, is what truth is:
John 17:17 (KJV) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 1:1-3 (KJV) 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. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
I John 5:6 (KJV) This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
Temporal reality is what is physically true at a point in time. However if this reality does not harmonize with what is revealed in God’s Word that temporal truth will change over time to harmonize or agree with the truth of God’s Word, which is the ultimate truth.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) We live by faith, not by sight.
Hebrews 11:1-3 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
For instance, the truth says “By His stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2: 24).
The temporal truth may be that you are sick in your physical body now.
However if you will believe the eternal truth of God’s Word, pray in the Spirit and speak God’s Word in faith to release the creative power of God your physical body will get healed causing temporal truth to align or harmonize with the eternal truth of God’s Word. If you do not exercise your faith effectively for healing, though you remain a Christian: “in Christ” and your body remains sick in this lifetime, then at the resurrection your body will get healed permanently eternally Of course those who do not remain “in Christ” were not healed by His stripes so in eternity they have eternally sick and decaying bodies (Is. 66: 24, Mk 9: 43-48).
The vital thing is that temporal truth will ultimately harmonize with eternal truth: God’s Word.
The three levels of Truth
Now in the scripture there are three levels at which we see truth:
Natural truth revealed in God’s creation:
Romans 1:18-20 (KJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
The truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Written truth revealed in God’s written Word the Bible:
John 17:17 (KJV) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Hidden truth is truth hidden in God’s written Word but revealed by His Spirit:
1 Corinthians 14:2 (KJV) For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1 Corinthians 2:7 (KJV) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Colossians 2:3 (KJV) In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
John 16:13 (NIV) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Revelation 2:17 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Now there is a beautiful harmony between these 3 levels of truth which, if you know and understand, will make the truth of God’s Word so real to you even when it has not been physically manifested that you will consistently walk by faith and so always please God and be always rewarded with the physical manifestation of God’s promises in your life.
Harmony of truth
The harmony of truth is that hidden truth can be seen in written truth and written truth can be seen in natural truth. So by looking at the natural analogues of written and hidden truth you are constantly reminded of the reality of written and hidden truth. This will cause you to constantly walk in faith, without bouts of fear and doubt.
Now this harmony of truth can only be seen and understood by revelation.
For instance, “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Ps. 19:1). Every time you look at the sky, sun and the stars you are reminded of God’s infinite power and wisdom.
Remember this was what God used to ignite Abram’s faith to believe God that He would become the Father of a multitude when He still had no child:
Genesis 15:5-6 (NIV) He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars– if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
We find God in scripture many times turning man’s attention to the heavens when there is a temptation to fear and doubt:
Isaiah 40:12 (KJV) Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Isaiah 40:25-26 (KJV) To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
Isaiah 51:6 (KJV) Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Isaiah 51:12-13 (KJV) I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
In our article next week we will be looking at more examples of the harmony of truth that will strengthen our faith in prayer, the Word and living in the presence of God.
