"True"

When they say a horse is bomb-proof,

You hope they tell the truth,

‘Cause I’ve seen some they lied about,

Jumped higher than the roof.

I’ve heard ‘em say a little fresh,

Just cold-backed at the first,

And have ‘em swell up big and buck,

So much the cinch might burst.

It’s not that every trader lies,

Some just don’t tell it all,

Like shading and the little spins,

And things they don’t recall.

Hate to make this comment,

But most folks do the same,

The whole truth, nothing but the truth,

Is a reach for them to name.

Yet speaking truth, the Bible says,

Is one of the big ten,

Thou shalt not bear false witness,

A command from way back when.

And Jesus said to know the truth,

Was the way to be set free,

And I don’t think that’s changed at all,

It’s timeless don’t you see.

Life and death and all between,

What’s true defines what’s real,

And everything that matters most,

The deepest things we feel.

So run to truth, away from lies,

And far from liars, too,

Always speak the truth in love,

It’s what God says to do.

“…and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32, NAS)

When Jesus spoke of knowing the truth He was not referring to mere intellectual agreement with what ais true. He meant a full embrace and engagement with truth that was indeed liberating and life-changing. His listeners were offended, and claimed that their religious heritage made them immune to slavery. But Jesus explained to them that they were slaves to sin, despite their ancestry. Such is the nature of deception. Those who need the truth’s liberation the most are often the last to receive it. Why? Because they don’t think they need it.

Lord, set us free with Your truth, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Don Dane, used by permission.