CONFIDENCE IN THE TRUTH
Confidence must be in the Truth so there will be Proclamation of the Truth; and then there must be an utter Dependence upon God to use His Truth that is proclaimed. Thus, the believer is involved in an enterprise that is essentially spiritual.
Upon what does the believer’s confidence in the Truth rest? What evokes an attitude of assurance regarding the Truth, or, asked differently, why should the believer have confidence in the Revelation that God has given? The answer is simple and foundational. And only a believer can identify with the answer. Two factors will be considered: one, the claim of the Truth; and two, the certification of the Truth.
First, the claim of the Truth. The Truth claims to be the Word of God, and reciprocally, the Word of God claims to be the Truth. Truth’s claim is that it is absolute and normative; and the claim is a presupposition that must be accepted. Evidences cannot convince; reason does not prove; and rational considerations do not determine certitude. The claim of the Truth is not dependent on proof. It is impossible for the world through its reasoning to certify the Gospel that is not of this world, but is the truth that the God-Man has come into the world and brought salvation to those who are in Adam.
Repeatedly the Scriptures assert that they are from God, and that God Himself is speaking in and through them; both the prophets and apostles assert this fact. And when God speaks He speaks the Truth. He can do no other. The Truth of the Scriptures is consistent with the God who is Truth; God and His Word cannot be separated. What is true of the Scriptures is true of God. Both are Truth.
This claim of Truth is not presented as an option for consideration; the fact comes with a declaration, and the declaration is that it is from God. The claim is demanding and unyielding. A discussion or a dialogue is not invited; human reflection is inappropriate. Simply and forcefully, the assertion is made: “the word of the Lord came to Zechariah” (Zech. 1:1). With this formula, or some similar formula, the Scriptures continually declare their origin and their nature (see: Revelation).
The hearers and/or the readers must decide: is this assertion the Truth; is this the Word of God; has God indeed spoken; will I listen? The affirmation of the Truth requires a decision regarding the Truth. The claim cannot be avoided, for it forcefully challenges the reader.
Second, the certification of the Truth. The believer is challenged by the Truth to believe the Truth simply because it is God’s Word: God’s Word is Truth. And Truth requires decision, not an intellectual decision, but a moral decision.
But, in another sense, the believer is not left alone with his own musings and humanistic determination, which by nature are set against the things of God. In his natural state and without the working of grace, the individual cannot come to the correct conclusion; “There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God” (Rom. 3:11). The proper decision simply cannot be made. Left alone, the individual will not and, indeed, cannot make the needed decision.
To the individual confronted by the Truth, there is God’s confrontation of the individual regarding the Truth. Authentication of the Truth by the Spirit embraces the believer—this is the working of grace. The believer is convinced by the Spirit that the Truth of Scripture is God’s Truth, revealed by Him and recorded in a reliable and trustworthy form that is normative for belief and practice. The believer knows this for he has been taught by the Spirit, and he cannot deny what he knows.
Thus, the believer has faith in the Scriptures because he has been blessed by the gift of faith in the Scriptures. And out of this spiritual transaction the believer’s confidence in the Truth becomes fixed and steadfast.
Note: see Characteristics of Truth and Significance of Truth
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