Fads and trends tend to come and go, but there are some things that persevere. They defy time, like classic pieces in your mother’s wardrobe that can be paired with sassy black stilettos and still look fabulous. There are just some things that endure. On a much more serious note, there are themes in humanity that defy time and transcend cultural and technological transition. Like, truth. In every age of man, we have sought to know and understand truth. Truth is not a “right-now,” trendy fad in society. Truth is an intellectual property of man’s existence.

Once Jesus was asked by a Roman governor, “What is truth?” In John 14:26, Jesus gives an answer to this age-old question while speaking with a man who is notorious for asking questions, His disciple Thomas. Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” How did Jesus define truth? Jesus identified Himself and His Gospel as truth.

Through 20 turbulent centuries, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has endured. Despite the outlawing of church assembly, despite the censure of social stigmas, despite the evolution of culture since the Messianic generation, despite the ghastly persecution — the Gospel of Jesus Christ remains. All the atrocities dealt to the martyred saints, did not accomplish the silence of Christianity. The Roman lawyer-turned-theologian, Tertullian, who used his sharp wit to defend believers wrote, “Torture us, rack us, condemn us, crush us; your cruelty only proves our innocence. We multiply whenever we are mowed down by you; the blood of Christians is seed…” (Apology, Chapter 50). The best efforts of evil have not prevailed against the message of Jesus Christ.

As the Israeli king and psalmist, David, wrote: “For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5, KJV) As Julia Ward Howe wrote: “Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.”

We are the torchbearers for this generation. We hold up the light of Jesus Christ and with our lives and our dialogue, invite others to find refuge in Him. We are “entrusted with this ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). In us, truth marches on. The Apostle Paul, even in the midst of injustice and hardship, boldly declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

In our nation, in our world are we willing to stand unashamed as those who’ve gone before us? Every generation since Paul’s has been challenged with this biblical thought: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Hebrews 12:1-3) This “great cloud of witnesses” are those who’ve lived unashamed. Our challenge is to join their ranks. We proclaim the truth that Jesus proclaimed so long ago: He is the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Him.

Liz Miller lives in Daphne with her husband, Matt, and son, Logan. She is a Bible teacher with a passion for promoting biblical literacy and is available to serve as guest speaker. As a Community Bible Study leader and Youth Minister’s wife, she enjoys regular opportunities to share and ponder the Word. Currently, she is helping to found the Mary, Martha Mentoring Program, which is a ministry dedicated to the spiritual and domestic training of young women. Liz welcomes your thoughts and prayer requests at millerfam3@hotmail.com.