Reflections from the Field | Truth Be Seen

These days it is challenging to discern what is really true. We are constantly bombarded by sellers of ideas, products, and services. Many of them claim to be based on clear evidence and trustworthy reviews, yet we fail to see it first-hand for our own eyes. At the heart of all advertising, intention drives the content, and behind every intention, therein, lies the truth.

I’ve noticed that spiritual ‘truths’ in the mass market are delivered in parallel ways, regardless of what religious background they stem from. This can be a confusing and frustrating experience for those seeking for truth. How are we to live, then, as followers of Christ who declared Himself as, “I AM THE TRUTH”?

An Afghan believer once told me, “Afghans read people like people read books.” This simple, yet profound observation led me into deep introspection and personal questioning,

• “I wonder what they are reading from my life.”
• “What evidence are they looking for when they find out I am a follower of Jesus?”
• “How is my life a demonstration of the truth that comes from knowing Jesus?”
• “What are the truths about Jesus that mark my life?”
• “I wonder if they are ‘reading’ other Christians.”
• “Do I even know the truth of Jesus to be able to live it out?”

A couple of years ago, a young Afghan Muslim friend accepted an invitation to join a gathering of mostly Christians in my home. I could tell he was a little on-edge when he arrived. Shortly after, I saw him taking out his phone as if to search for something. “May I ask a question?” he posed to the group. One by one, he began firing out statements followed by questions that were intended to disprove Christianity. My immediate reaction was one of intimidation and fear. How was I to answer these complex questions under this pressure? I didn’t feel I was prepared enough to communicate the answers to him convincingly. Others in the group looked at me, seemingly also feeling unsettled. In desperation, I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit for wisdom.

“Just love him.”—I sensed this was the way I was to respond.

I heard him pause at one question, “Where is the Trinity mentioned in the Bible?” I replied, “Actually, the term ‘Trinity’ is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, but there are numerous scriptures that clearly describe the Trinity. Do you want to read one?” I took him to John 1 on my phone. He grabbed the phone off me and began reading it out aloud and then impatiently blurted out, “Ye, ye. Ok. Where else?” I could see the frustration in him building up, and it was leading towards aggressive tones.

“Just love him.” was echoed in my mind again.

I paused and looked him gently in the eyes and calmly stated, “This seems very important to you. I can tell you’ve been thinking about this for a long time. What are you after?”

He seemed surprised at my return. “Jane, I’m frustrated! I’m frustrated and confused! I just want to know the truth!”

There it was.

In a moment of humble confession, his intent revealed his desperate search for truth. But he was searching for the truth based on what he had access to on social media. There was a plethora of information projected out there. Yet, he didn’t know what to believe. It dawned on me that there was a critical difference between hearing the truth and seeing the truth.  I wondered how many Christians had walked with him long enough for him to really ‘read’. I suspected I may have been the first.

I realised at that point that God was teaching me a critical lesson. There are many times we, as bearers of the Truth of Jesus, feel the pressure to urgently and apologetically deliver explanations and exhortations with convincing arguments. Yet, in our world of mass media and everyone assuming to be an expert or influencer on a topic, such ideas are readily accessible— many by reputable Bible-based sources. Sadly, most outsiders to Jesus rarely get to see the lives of Jesus followers, lived out before them in His Truth— in real time, in the muck and mire of life— while taking time, also, to get to know them, their values, their fears, and their hopes. How can they know what is true and worth believing if they have not seen it walked out before them?

The scriptures emphasise how we are to make our faith visible to outsiders— walking the new life we have in Jesus Christ. Walking just as Jesus Christ became flesh and dwelt among us.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God… Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:1-2, 15-16.

‘Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.’ Colossians 4:5-6

This is a call to careful action. Sometimes, we are quick to speak the Truth before we have taken time to keep it real and wisely walk it out. Let us consider how we are imitating God and walking in the love of Christ amongst our neighbours and spheres of interaction. Let us be wise followers of Christ who know when to speak with grace and walk the Truth in love.