07 Jan Liberating Truth

What is truth?
“Truth” is a concept that has been explored and debated across various fields including philosophy, religion, science, and everyday life and plays a crucial role in guiding our understanding of the world and our interactions within it. It is a concept or property of statements, beliefs, or propositions that accurately reflect or represent the world as it is.

When truth is replaced
The worldview of many is shaped by a myriad of influences, often leading to confusion and falsehood (2 Cor 4:4; 1 Jn 5:19). Not understanding the truth or replacing the truth with a lie result in systems where evils of the world originate and thrive. Some of the evils that we face today are:

a) At a personal level: Academic pressure, relational, loneliness, suicidal tendencies, addictions, fear of failure and the future, and financial.
b) Campus Issues: Ragging, socio-cultural and linguistic, racism, regionalism, relationships, false ideologies, and gender disparity.
c) Social Evils: Human trafficking, terrorism, caste system, child labour, child marriage, dowry, gender disparity, female foeticide, domestic violence, corruption, substance abuse (drugs), body shaming, and poverty.
d) Ecological/Environmental Issues: Climate change, global warming, pollution (water and air), and deforestation.

Lies or wrong standards proposed by an influential few for limited benefit or convenience, confuses many naïve people in the society and the campuses are not immune to it either. Campuses are rather the greatest battle field of ideas. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” Eph 6:12. (NIV). We are constantly bombarded by ideas, norms, precedence, peer behaviour, outlook or the crowd which can be in conflict with the truth. In today’s world of abundant alternatives and apparent freedom of choice, identifying the truth is a challenging task. When we shift our focus away from the truth and allow ourselves to be distracted by the glittering lies of the world, we end up facing its consequences.

Jesus is the Truth
While many have gone a long way trying to find the truth, Jesus, is the only one Who gives a definitive answer. Jesus said, “’I am the Way and the Truth and the Life,’” Jn 14:6. The search for truth as a standard of the divine designer and sustainer of life end in Jesus’ life and teachings. This truth is absolute, objective, and transcendent, rather than relative or subjective. The teachings of Jesus Christ have profoundly influenced individuals and societies for over two millennia and His message of love, compassion, and justice continues to offer solutions to many of the social and environmental challenges we face today.

Jesus also offers freedom through the power of truth (Jn 8:32). Truth liberates us from the clutches of lies and wrong beliefs and sets us free by disengaging us from the battle already won. For the battle persists till one dwells under the lies of the enemy.

It is liberating, when one seeks and finds answers to issues around them. The clarity at the end of the tunnel gives focus and energy to proceed in the right direction without the distractions.
In such an environment, Christian students can serve as beacons of truth and freedom, living out their faith in a way that offers hope and direction to their peers.

Know your enemy
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
― Sun Tzu, “The Art of War”.

The first strategy in winning the battle is understanding the game plan of the opponent.
“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one,” 1 Jn 5:19. The enemy bases his whole operation on lies, more lies and nothing but lies. He distorts the truth to exert his domination. We gain a lot of advantage by knowing this fact of the enemy and can seal victory by knowing the truth. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” Jn 8:31-32. “Holding on” is not just hearing of Jesus or of His teaching but involves a more proactive and consistent attention to an idea and consciously applying it in our everyday life. It is only with truth that victory over death and slavery brought in by sin and manifested through lies, can be ensured.

Greatest truth
“But the greatest of these is love,” 1 Cor 13:13.
John tells the greatest truth – God is Love. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love,”
1 Jn 4:8.

The whole teaching and life of Jesus points to this truth that God loves every one equally. God’s truth is based on love and from it flows respect, justice, moderation, forgiveness, compassion, peaceful coexistence, balance, empathy, stewardship and all that can be used to counter the designs of the evil one.

Personal Issues
The Christian faith offers a robust support system through its community and teachings. The biblical narrative provides a sense of purpose and identity, reassuring students of their intrinsic worth and guiding them through life’s uncertainties. Jesus’ promise of rest for the weary (“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” – Mt 11:28) and the assurance of God’s provision (“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus,” Phil 4:19) are particularly comforting.

Campus Issues
For the challenges of campus life, a culture of respect, equality, and justice, as seen in the life and teachings of Jesus on loving one’s neighbour as oneself encourages believers to confront these issues with grace and truth.

“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself,’” Mt 22:39.
Christian students, by embodying these values, can challenge and transform harmful practices and ideologies, fostering a more inclusive and supportive campus environment.

Societal Issues
The historic Christian faith, with its emphasis on justice, compassion, and love for one’s neighbour, provides a powerful counter-narrative to the evils in the society.
Jesus’ mission included liberating the oppressed and proclaiming good news to the poor. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,” Lk 4:18. This mission inspires Christian students to engage with societal issues, advocating for justice, and promoting peace and reconciliation.

Ecological and Environmental Issues
“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it,” – Gen 2:15.
The Christian doctrine of stewardship calls for responsible management of God’s creation. It emphasizes that humans are caretakers of God’s creation with the responsibility of protecting the environment and advocating for policies and practices that promote sustainability. Christian students can lead by example in their commitment to ecological stewardship, raising awareness, and participating in initiatives that address environmental issues and contribute to the well-being of the planet (God’s creation).

Conclusion
All evils are based on lies and the Bible offers the truth to refute all lies. By embracing and living out these truths, Christian students become “salt of the earth” (Mtt 5:13) shining as lights in a world often overshadowed by falsehood and despair. Through their words, actions, and community that demonstrate integrity, compassion, and a commitment to justice they can present a compelling message of hope and transformation, rooted in the eternal truths of the Christian faith.

Samuel Changkija, is serving as Chief Conservator of Forests in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. He was an EU Student in Kohima Science College (1993-97) and Nagaland University (1998-2000) and later served as Secretary and as President Jammu and Kashmir EGF (2008-10 & 2017-23). He is married to Dr. Eunice and blessed with two girls and three boys.