For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.1
Paul emphasizes the importance of knowing the truth. He echoes the Shema2—“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.3 Unlike the many gods of the world, he emphasizes that there is one God! This truth is foundational and fundamental to our Christian faith.
A basic training for bank tellers is to familiarize themselves with genuine currencies. They need not know the various copies proliferating in the market; they can detect the fake by knowledge of what is true. To the Jews who had believed Jesus, he said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”4 Isn’t it interesting that word is singular?
John wrote, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.5 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.6 Jesus himself testifies, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7
The truth is a person; he is Jesus. To the Corinthian church Paul emphasized another fundamental learning—to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.8
This mystery formerly hidden now made known and written down for us and for our children’s children.9
It is God’s desire that all people be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.10 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. And pointedly asks, Do you believe this?”11 For there is no other way for salvation except through Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Understand what Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.12
Open your Bible (you may start with the shortest Gospel, e.g., Mark); study it a chapter a day; pray for revelation and a change of heart; do not resist His invitation; receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”13
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.14
Notes:
1. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
2. Hebrew: Hear. The Jewish confession of faith made up of three Scriptural texts— Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37-41
3. Deuteronomy 6:4-6
4. John 8:31-32
5. John 1:1
6. John 1:14
7. John 14:6
8. 1 Corinthians 2:2
9. Colossians 1:26
10. 1 Timothy 2:4
11. John 11:25-26
12. John 14:6
13. Psalm 91:14-16
14. 1 John 5:13
