Knowing The Certainty Of Truth
by Joe R. Price
The beloved physician Luke wrote “an orderly account” (NKJV) of the life of Jesus so that Theophilus would “know the certainty of those things” which he had been taught. Luke’s account of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ was in harmony with what the apostles and ministers of the word of God had delivered “from the beginning” (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1; Matthew 28:19-20). Luke intended to supply Theophilus with reliable information to validate, strengthen, and solidify his personal faith in Jesus Christ (and by means of necessary inference, our faith as well).
We live in a time when not a few preachers have taken to preaching a gospel of uncertainty and doubt, of opinion, speculation, and intellectualism. They tell us we cannot know anything for sure – only God has perfect understanding! (They need to read again I John 5:20 and Ephesians 3:3-5.) A postmodern gospel void of absolutes is heard throughout the land – including among brethren in churches of Christ. This is observed in how preachers and elders choose to address (or refuse to address) controversial subjects like divorce and remarriage, social drinking, immodest clothing and the modern dance (just to name a few).
It ought not to be so. Jesus Christ and preaching Christ is not “yea” and “nay” (II Corinthians 1:18-19). “We preach Christ crucified” with the clarity of truth and the confidence of heaven, so that your faith will be in the power of God and not in the wisdom of men (I Corinthians 1:23; 2:1-5). It is past time that Bible preaching be heard and demanded from pulpits, not pop psychology and self-help messages of personal development that leave the soul starved for the truth that saves souls from sin (James 1:21-22). We need Bible preaching from preachers, not pulpiteers who entertain. We must have the word of God, not intellectual elitism that offers scholarship in place of plain and persuasive gospel preaching (II Timothy 4:2-5).
Luke’s preamble affirms the certainty of the word of God (Luke 1:2). Luke’s “orderly account” did not differ from those given by eyewitnesses (Hebrews 2:3; II Peter 1:16-21; I John 1:1-4). The harmony of God’s word gives us great certainty of faith. Preaching and teaching that leaves you wondering “what is truth?” will never save the lost and edify the saved.
Luke’s preamble affirms that certainty of faith is produced by the word of God (Luke 1:4). Luke boldly asserted the accuracy of his narrative based on a complete understanding of all things from the beginning (Luke 1:3). Knowing the certainty of what he was taught would generate in Theophilus (and us) a confident faith instead of a spirit of fear and shame (II Timothy 1:7; Romans 1:16). Dear Christian, do not fear to speak with certainty about the truth “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
Doubt over whether we can understand the truth of God with certainty does not and never will produce strong, faithful Christians. The word of God produces faith that is certain – free of fear and shame (Romans 10:17; 1:16). Truly, the Son of God has given us an understanding (I John 5:20).