For those not accustomed to professional wrestling in the United States, there is an organisation that has essentially been the top producer of professional wrestling known as the World Wrestling Entertainment company.
Among other aspects of their business is to have characters who appeal to a wide audience on the strength of their persona. One such character in the late 20th Century and early 21st Century was known as Stone Cold Steve Austin. He successfully made a catchphrase popular in that industry where, in bringing his time of talking to an end, he stated: “that’s the bottom line cos Stone Cold said so”.
The bottom line is a superb sentiment. What does it all come down to? Where does it all rest? How does it all stand together? It’s all about the bottom line. The ultimately settled account for everything. That which defines that bottom line also goes on to determine everything above it. That is very much like thinking that where your bottom line is, determines your reality.
For some, for example, the bottom line is that existence as we know it is about going through a spiritual experience in a capsule that in the larger scheme of things doesn’t matter. If you go for that bottom line, what happens to the capsule won’t be that important. Things like feelings and sensations of the body can be relegated this way – all because of the bottom line. There are other examples I could refer to in ironing the point that the bottom line determines reality. What matters about this is that there is a distinct claim to establish what is the bottom line.
There are important themes in the gospel according to John. Light, love and belief. A huge theme is that of truth. He tells the Samaritan woman at the well that worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.
Jesus and the truth to Pilate. There is that episode of Jesus facing Pilate and the flow of the initial conversation leaves Pilate with more of an issue of establishing how the punishment advocated did not fit this character. In there, Jesus establishes His purpose which has nothing to do with a kingdom from this earth.
For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.
John 18:37 (ESV)
This statement by Jesus stumps Pilate who asks the question that everyone who encounters Jesus is invited to discover: What is truth?
Jesus’ statement – among others that He says in this gospel account – indicates that to know Him is to know the truth and to believe in Him is to engage in that journey of knowing the truth. It is active and ongoing, it’s personal and yet it establishes what the bottom line is. Jesus sets the bottom line even at the point where He appears to be at the mercy of someone who sees himself as having the power to crucify Him or pardon Him.
Jesus and the truth to the Jews. That statement to Pilate reminds me of what Jesus had to say those Jews that exercised some belief in Him.
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:31-32 (ESV)
Knowing the truth requires letting His word take residence in us. Not just reading it. Not just reciting it. A total full-time residence that determines and shapes who we are, what we say and what we do. That way, we can know if we’re following what He designs for us, or if we’re just making things up that’s our way of doing what we think is honouring to Him. He defines what is true because He is the truth and that makes everything real only in the light of the Truth.
That’s just a glimpse at why truth is so important. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
What would it be like to take that sentiment seriously? What if it wasn’t just a vow to take ensuring no lies are spoken in truth, but also a commitment not to allow deception and corruption to be part of our lives? Acknowledging Jesus as Lord is the way to knowing the truth of the matter and that’s the bottom line because Almighty God said so.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 