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"But He that Doeth Truth," John 3:19-21

John 3:19-21

In verse 21, the Savior observes "But he that doeth truth, cometh to the light, that he deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

I am focused on the phrase "He that doeth truth" and there are footnotes on the last two words.

Doeth - TG, Good Works

2 Chronicles 15:7 - Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
Alma 9:27-28 - if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ;
Titus 3:8 - ...that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.

Truth - TG, Truth

Continue this study, on the point of truth. Truth is not what we think it is, reality through human perception, but rather the reality of things as they really are in the presence by God, whose knowledge, understanding, perception, and love are perfect. There is a difference between eternal truth and perceived fact.

"For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world." (Ether 4:12)

Perhaps a broader definition is found in Jacob 4:13 -
Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.

The Psalmist said "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth." The law is truth, not men's interactions with the law. Not men's perception of history. Rather the law of God, the standard which He has set for our return to Him, that is truth. That is the reality of things as they really are.

Of the four accounts of the Savior's ministry, the book of John is the only book to work with and discuss the theme of truth throughout its pages. It is interesting that the very last reference to truth in that book was the question that Pilate asked in the presence of Christ, "What is truth?"
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