Living in Truth (New Year Encouragement)
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Jesus did not merely teach truth—He declared that He is the Truth (John 14:6).
Every year, most of us make a "resolution" - that we would do something new this year or something better than last year. However, some people keep that resolution for a while, while others fail after just a few days. I am guilty of that. For the last three years, I thought I would lose weight. But that didn't happen. However, this year, I am not making that resolution, but I am committing to live a life that will be soaked in the Word of God.
Living in truth is not simply holding correct beliefs; it is choosing, day by day, to live in close fellowship with Christ and to let His life be formed in ours. As this new year begins, Christ invites every believer to walk more openly, more faithfully, and more courageously in Him—the One who is truth in person.
Living in truth requires a multi-layered commitment, rooted first in an intimate relationship with Jesus and a willingness to respond to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Knowing truth and walking in it is not something we produce by effort alone; it depends on the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. Genuine truth becomes real in our lives as we learn to follow the Spirit’s leading. The Holy Spirit teaches us, corrects us, and grows us into faithful disciples of Jesus—but this process is not passive. Obedience is the starting point. When we respond to the Spirit with surrendered hearts, our lives begin to align with the truth we confess.
To walk in truth also means patterning our lives after Jesus Christ Himself. Truth is lived on two inseparable levels: we submit to God’s Word and order our lives according to Scripture, while we also pursue the character of Christ—His humility, purity, compassion, courage, and love. These are not separate goals. The Christian life is one unified pursuit: becoming more like Jesus as we obey God’s Word from the heart.
We enter more deeply into truth by deepening our union with Christ, drawing nearer to the source from which all truth flows. Living in truth means abiding—dwelling—in close fellowship with Jesus. In that nearness, we are awakened to what we have overlooked and given eyes to perceive what we have failed to truly see or hear. Yet this awakening is rarely instant. Living in truth is not always simple or easy. It calls for integrity, honest self-examination, and righteous action toward others. It also requires resisting deception—both the lies we are tempted to believe and the subtle ways we can drift into compromise.
As we commit ourselves to living in truth, we are formed into true disciples—ready to answer Christ’s call, endure what discipleship requires, and walk steadfastly in the way of the Holy One. (John 8:31-34).
This new year, let it be our prayer and pursuit to live as Christ lived: anchored in Scripture, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, unwavering in integrity, and faithful to the Truth who has saved us.
I am not sure what your resolution is, or if you have one, but I suggest we all grow in Christ by meditating on His Word.
My family and I wish you a Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Joel Madasu