After reflecting on God’s word the Psalmist declared “The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever” (Psalm 119:160, NRSV). Jesus said that knowing the truth will set us free (John 8:32). In a world where principles once set in stone now seem to be written in sand and easily washed away how do we know what the sum of truth is?
The church has continually wrestled with knowing what the sum of God’s truth is; Peter wrestled with the truth being extended to Gentiles, slavery is no longer an accepted practice and the participation of women has changed significantly (The Australian Anglican Church has just elected its first female Archbishop). God is continually drawing us in to the sum of His word and revealing Himself through His word.
What is the truth? The truth is that before a perfect and holy God we all fall short and cannot stand in His presence. But the good news is that when we accept Jesus as Lord and acknowledge our need for forgiveness we have new life and can experience true and lasting peace. It is a new life spent learning how to follow Jesus.
How do we follow Jesus in an ever-changing world? Loving one another and bearing one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2).
