Why Scripture? First in a series of devotions about the Word of God.

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17)

Many of us become Christians and wonder, "What next?" We, along with those who are contemplating Christianity, wonder, "How do I know which teaching to believe with all these church denominations, worship styles, preaching styles, and differing sermon contents?" Exasperated and wanting to avoid settling for 'good enough', we may find ourselves coming alongside Pilate and joining him in asking Jesus, "What is truth?"

John describes the dialogue at the Last Supper in his gospel in chapters 13 thru 17. In John 17 specifically, Jesus turns His focus toward praying to His Father for 1) Himself, 2) His disciples, and 3) those who would believe through their message. This particular verse, John 17:17, is applicable to the audience in items 2 and 3, that is, all believers in the church age.

With so many seemingly possible directions, and with so wide a path that leads to deception, where do we ultimately turn for absolute authority in determining truth? God's word. Everything we need to know about truth, God's reality, or reality for the Christian according to God, is already contained in the Scriptures. Everything! Not only is His word truth, it alone has the power to sanctify us.

As we'll see in coming devotions, the Scriptures are where we find the elaborate and wonderful definition that answers the question, "What is truth?" So, join me in discovering how we can depend on His word, and with the help of the Holy Spirit in prayer, we can for learn, understand, and assimilate in our hearts exactly what God wants us to know.